26/11 We Had No Response, Now We Are Anti-Terror Leaders: Jaishankar

MUMBAI, (ANI) – External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar on October 27 said that Mumbai has become a powerful symbol of counterterrorism globally.

He further stressed that the country must not repeat the mistakes of the past and India should take a stance against terrorism.

Addressing the reporters here, Jaishankar said, “Mumbai is a symbol of counterterrorism for India and the world…When the world sees – who is standing firm in front of this challenge of terrorism, people say – India.”

He further said that Mumbai faced a terrorist attack and there was no response from the Indian side. He said, “Today, we are leaders in fighting terrorism… We should not have a repeat of what happened in Mumbai. There was an attack on this city and there was no response. That is not good for us…”

He added, “When we talk of zero tolerance against terror, it is clear that when somebody does something, there will be a response. We also must be exposed. It is not acceptable that you are doing business during the daytime and indulging in terror during the night, and I must pretend that everything is okay. This India will not accept it. This is what has changed. We are very clear; we need to expose terrorism.”

Jaishankar has been vocal about India’s stance on terrorism, emphasizing the need for zero tolerance. At the 16th BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, he reaffirmed India’s commitment to combating terrorism.

Notably, at least 174 people, including 20 security force personnel and 26 foreigners, were killed and more than 300 injured in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in 2008.

Ten Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists came to Mumbai via the sea route from Pakistan and carried out a series of coordinated attacks on India’s financial capital.