External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar delivered a pointed warning at the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Atlanta, cautioning that short-term strategic considerations must not come at the expense of recognising the long-term dangers posed by terrorism.

Stressing India's longstanding position on the issue, he stated that “tactical calculations should not lead to overlooking the dangers of terrorism” and added that “it is a high-risk activity which has come back to bite even the practitioners.”

His remarks were widely viewed as an indirect criticism of recent diplomatic engagement between the United States and Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir under President Donald Trump. India has repeatedly accused Pakistan of supporting cross-border terrorism and has continued to cite the Pahalgam terror attack of April 2025, in which civilians were targeted, as a stark example of the threat posed by terrorism.

Sharing his observations following the opening plenary session, Jaishankar wrote that he was pleased to participate in the meeting and reiterated that “tactical calculations should not lead to overlooking the dangers of terrorism. It is a high-risk activity which has come back to bite even the practitioners.”

Beyond terrorism, the minister addressed the wider international security landscape, arguing that military action alone cannot resolve ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia. He maintained that diplomacy remains the most viable path towards lasting stability and urged nations to prioritise dialogue over confrontation.

EAM Jaishankar also highlighted the growing impact of regional conflicts on maritime security and global trade. He noted that countries of the Global South are disproportionately affected by attacks on civilian shipping and seafarers, with disruptions driving up the costs of fuel, food and agricultural nutrients while threatening critical supply routes.

Underscoring the human cost of the crisis, he pointed out that since the outbreak of hostilities in West Asia earlier this year, at least 22 Indian nationals, including 14 seafarers, have lost their lives.

Calling for stronger protection of international maritime routes, Jaishankar stressed the need to uphold freedom of navigation and ensure an end to attacks within the framework of international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). He also highlighted the recently launched India-Liberia initiative aimed at safeguarding seafarers operating in increasingly volatile regions.

On the economic front, the minister raised concerns about barriers confronting developing nations. Referring to export restrictions and supply chain pressures, he argued that some economies are facing deliberate obstacles to industrial growth through market flooding, weaponised supply chains, constrained market access and artificial distortions that undermine domestic manufacturing capabilities.

Against this backdrop, Jaishankar emphasised the importance of resilient and diversified connectivity networks, stating that alternative trade and transport corridors will become increasingly important as nations pursue economic de-risking and supply chain diversification in an uncertain geopolitical environment.

The discussions in Atlanta were hosted by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who similarly underlined the importance of maritime and food security to global economic stability. Rubio indicated that Washington's policy approach is focused on protecting international shipping routes and reducing the risk of wider economic disruption.

Jaishankar's participation in the G20 gathering comes shortly after Rubio's visit to India from October 20 to 22, reflecting continuing diplomatic engagement between New Delhi and Washington despite differences on certain regional issues.

During his stay in the United States, Jaishankar is also scheduled to attend a Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting with counterparts from Australia and Japan, building on consultations previously held in New Delhi and Manila. Following the conclusion of his US visit, he will travel to Antigua and Barbuda to participate in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting from November 1 to 4.

The trip forms part of India's broader diplomatic outreach across major multilateral platforms and is expected to facilitate a series of bilateral engagements with international partners. It is also seen as an important preparatory effort ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's possible visit to the United States for the G20 Leaders' Summit scheduled for mid-December.

ANI