In New Delhi, on December 6, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized that a considerable portion of India's issues, notably terrorism, originates from the Pakistani Army. He confidently stated that although the threat persists, New Delhi is prepared to address it.

During an interview with NDTV's CEO and Editor-In-Chief Rahul Kanwal at the HT Leadership Summit, the EAM pointed out that the ideological animosity directed at India predominantly stems from Pakistan's military establishment.

"When you examine the terrorism, the training camps, and the prevailing policy of what I would term as an almost ideological animosity towards India, one must ask: where does that arise from? It emanates from the army. Ultimately, if you observe the state of Pakistan, consider the disparities and capabilities along with the reputations on both sides. We should not allow ourselves to become overly obsessed or feel compelled to hyphenate our identity with them," EAM Jaishankar remarked.

When questioned about the chief of the Pakistani Army, Asim Munir, he remarked, "Just as there are good and bad terrorists, there are good military leaders and those who are less competent."

Regarding India's focused military operation, Operation Sindoor, against crucial terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir following the Pahalgam terror incident, EAM Jaishankar clarified that India operates within a unique framework of norms and responsibilities.

"As far as India is concerned, we have certain actions we undertake and others we refrain from. We adhere to rules and norms. If any action is taken, we are accountable to our citizens, the media, and civil society. It would be unrealistic to compare ourselves with them, and in many respects, we would be doing ourselves a disservice," he stated, addressing whether the operation could have been executed differently.

Responding to inquiries about former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, EAM Jaishankar noted that her choice to remain in India was influenced by the circumstances of her arrival.

Hasina sought refuge in India last August after her democratically elected government collapsed amid violent unrest, resulting in hundreds of fatalities and thousands of injuries. Recently, she was sentenced to death in absentia by a special tribunal in Dhaka for "crimes against humanity" pertaining to her administration's severe crackdown on student-led protests.

When asked if she could remain in India indefinitely, EAM Jaishankar remarked, "Well, that's a different matter, isn't it? She came here under specific circumstances, and I believe that context will influence her situation. Ultimately, it is her decision to make."

He expressed hope for the future of India-Bangladesh relations, highlighting India's democratic aspirations for its neighbor.

"We genuinely wish Bangladesh well. As a democratic nation, we believe any democratic country should ascertain the will of the people through a democratic process," he stated.

"I am quite confident that whatever emerges from the democratic process will present a balanced and mature perspective on our relationship, and hopefully, conditions will improve," he concluded.