Iran strikes Pakistan: Understand actions that countries take in self defence, says MEA

On Wednesday evening, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) gave its first reaction to Iranian air strikes in Pakistan. In response to media queries regarding Iran’s air strikes in Pakistan, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “This is a matter between Iran and Pakistan. Insofar as India is concerned, we have an uncompromising position of zero tolerance towards terrorism. We understand actions that countries take in their self defence.”

Earlier this week, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was in Iran on a two-day visit, where he denounced terrorism in all its forms and manifestations at a joint press statement with his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amirabdollahian.

“India has a long-standing and uncompromising position against terrorism in all forms and manifestations. This remains so very much. At the same time, we strongly believe that it is imperative to avoid loss of civilian life in any conflict situation,” Jaishankar had said.

In Tehran, Jaishankar called upon President Ebrahim Rais to express condolences over the recent Kerman attack, which killed over 80.

India had also broached the issue of threats to maritime shipping in the region and stressed that it’s important that this issue is “speedily addressed”, in an apparent reference to targeting of merchant vessels in the Red Sea by Iranian-backed Yemen’s Houthi rebels.