Using terrorism as instrument of statecraft simply unacceptable: Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday said the use of terrorism as an "instrument of statecraft" was unacceptable and could never be justified or rationalised, warning that the menace continued because not all countries demonstrated genuine zero tolerance towards it.

Speaking at an event marking the 75th anniversary of Chinmaya Mission, Jaishankar said political considerations continued to influence the approach of certain countries towards terrorism despite the lessons of history.

"Terrorism is another deadly threat to peace. Its usage as an instrument of statecraft is simply unacceptable. It can never be justified. It can never be rationalised. Yet it continues because not all states really display zero tolerance. Despite history holding so many lessons, some still allow political calculations to take precedence," he said.

Without naming any country, the minister called for greater international awareness and stronger collective action against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

He said the world must come together with renewed determination to confront the common threat.

𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘁

Highlighting the importance of peace amid ongoing international conflicts, Jaishankar warned that "war anywhere threatens peace everywhere".

Referring to the conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia, he said their consequences were being felt by societies, economies and people far removed from the fighting.

He observed that those with little influence over such conflicts were often forced to bear their economic and humanitarian costs.

"We cannot remain helpless spectators. India expresses global sentiment when we urge that dialogue and diplomacy are the only solution," the External Affairs Minister said.

Jaishankar reiterated India's commitment to peacebuilding and said New Delhi remained willing to cooperate with international partners towards that objective.

The address was delivered in the presence of United Nations Resident Coordinator in India Stefan Priesner, who shared the dais with the minister.

𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵'𝘀 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀

Jaishankar said global progress and prosperity could not be separated from questions of peace and security.

"The world cannot advance half prosperous and half denied. In an era of intricate supply chains, of globalised markets, and of common resources, this is simply a prescription for continuous instability," he cautioned.

He reiterated that the Global South continued to face what he described as the "4F" crisis involving finance, fuel, food and fertiliser.

The minister said developed countries, collectively referred to as the Global North, must recognise that they had equal stakes in addressing these challenges.

"The international economy must be urgently derisked and nations provided with more diversified options. Market distortions through constriction and chokepoints only add to suffering. A genuine dialogue in this regard is overdue," he said.

He stressed the need for diversified economic opportunities and a more balanced international economic framework.

𝗨𝗡 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽

Calling for reforms in global governance, Jaishankar said the United Nations must demonstrate leadership rather than remain a spectator to international crises.

He argued that the growing challenges facing the world strengthened the case for reforming multilateral institutions and ensuring broader participation in global decision-making.

"We know we live in an imperfect world. But we all continuously strive towards greater perfection," he said.

The minister said the UN needed to acknowledge its shortcomings and limitations while pursuing institutional improvements.

"The case for reformed multilateralism gets stronger by the day. Large parts of the world cannot be left out from decision-making. The UN must show leadership, not be a spectator to global crisis," Jaishankar said.

He also referred to the continuing debate between competitiveness and cooperation, observing that these competing approaches influenced how countries interacted on the international stage.

𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗜 𝗴𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲

Turning to emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, Jaishankar said humanity stood at a crucial crossroads as technological developments reshaped societies and economies.

"AI promises to be the mother of all change. But something so sweeping, something so consequential, it cannot be left in the hands of just a few. That would go counter to the trends of freedom and democratisation that the world has seen over the last 80 years," he said.

The minister said India strongly supported a responsible, inclusive and human-centric approach to artificial intelligence, recognising its universal applications and far-reaching implications.

He emphasised that technological advances must benefit a wider section of humanity rather than remain concentrated among a limited number of countries or institutions.

Referring to India's development partnerships and assistance to countries during emergencies and crises, Jaishankar said New Delhi's international engagement reflected its civilisational philosophy of shared humanity.

For India, the ethos of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is practised, it is not merely preached", he said.