In a strong show of solidarity, the Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany, Johann Wadephul, on Friday condemned the Pahalgam terror attack and vowed to support India in its fight against cross-border terrorism. Speaking at a joint press conference with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Berlin on Friday, Wadephul said, “We were all appalled by the brutal terrorist attack on India on April 22. We condemn this attack on civilians in the strongest terms. Our deepest sympathy goes out to all victims and their families.””After military attacks on both sides… and India, of course, has every right to defend itself against terrorism… the fact that a truce is in place is something we appreciate very much,” he stressed. He also expressed hope that the ceasefire between India and Pakistan stands. “What is important now is that this truce remains stable, that dialogue can happen to find bilateral solutions,” he said. Addressing the media, S Jaishankar reiterated that India has zero tolerance for terrorism and New Delhi will “never give in to nuclear blackmail.”In an apparent response to US President Donald Trump’s repeated claims on mediating the ceasefire negotiations between India and Pakistan using trade as leverage, Jaishankar said, “India will deal with Pakistan purely bilaterally” and there should be “no confusion in any quarter” in that regard.”I came to Berlin in the immediate aftermath of India responding to the Pahalgam terror attack. Let me share with you what I conveyed to Mr Wadephul in that context. India has zero tolerance for terrorism. India will never give in to nuclear blackmail,” he said.”And, India will deal with Pakistan purely bilaterally. There should be no confusion in any quarter in that regard,” Jaishankar said.He also said India values “Germany’s understanding” that “every nation has a right to defend itself against terrorism.”The Union minister is currently in Germany as part of his three-nation Europe visit.India has launched a diplomatic outreach after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi has declared a “new normal” when New Delhi will consider any act of cross border terrorism as an act of war against India.
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