External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar described terrorism as a "perennial" problem that demands "a great deal of resolution and commitment." He made these remarks on Friday while addressing a session titled India’s View of the World at University College Dublin in Ireland.

Emphasis on Countering Terrorism

Jaishankar highlighted India's long struggle against terrorism. "Talking about conflict, perhaps a word on countering terrorism would also be appropriate, particularly as a foreign minister of a country which has long been at the receiving end of terrorist efforts," he stated. He also referenced the commemorative plaque in Ahakista village, which honors the victims of the 1985 Air India Kanishka bombing that occurred off Ireland’s coast.

Challenges in a Changing World

Jaishankar acknowledged the violent and traumatic nature of conflicts. He observed, "I do want to make one broad observation about the state of the world, which is difficult to put it very mildly. For a variety of reasons, our attention is normally occupied by, say, conflicts. Conflicts are violent. They’re traumatic. It’s what you read about in the newspaper, you see on the TV, you look at the phones. But there is a lot that is happening which you do not necessarily read about." Referring to a UN assessment, he noted that progress in key development areas—including health, water, electricity, housing, literacy, and nutrition—had only reached 17% of the target set for the decade within the first four years.

Call for Global Cooperation

Jaishankar outlined the major challenges confronting the world. He pointed to escalating conflicts, the lingering effects of the pandemic, extreme climate events, and rising debt crises that hinder many nations from achieving basic development goals. He urged stronger efforts at individual, bilateral, and institutional levels to address these global issues.

Diplomacy Over War

Reaffirming India's position, Jaishankar stated that differences in today’s world "cannot and should not be settled on the battlefield." He stressed the importance of returning to dialogue and diplomacy to resolve disputes.

India and Ireland: Shared Values

Jaishankar described India and Ireland as "fiercely independent polities." He noted that both nations have traditionally been cautious about political involvement and have found their "own way" of expressing positions and interests on international platforms.