Congress MP Manish Tewari, in South Africa, issues a stern warning to Pakistan
In a powerful message from South Africa, Congress MP Manish Tewari asserted India’s unwavering stance on cross-border terrorism, warning that India reserves the right to take any necessary action to protect its national interest. Tewari, part of a multi-party Indian delegation, sent this strong diplomatic signal amid rising global concern over state-sponsored terrorism, particularly after the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives.
The delegation’s visit to South Africa was aimed at building international consensus on counter-terrorism, and Tewari’s warning underscores a rare bipartisan alignment in India’s foreign policy—where national security remains a non-negotiable, unified agenda.
India’s Message: No Tolerance for Terror Supporters
Manish Tewari’s remarks struck a chord internationally and domestically. Speaking in Johannesburg, he stated:
“If terrorism keeps getting perpetrated from across the border… then under those circumstances, it is our national resolve that under no circumstances would that be tolerable. India reserves the right to energise the full spectrum of options available to protect and defend its national interest.”
If the terror infrastructure in Pakistan is not culled by the Government of Pakistan then India reserves the right to energise the full spectrum of options available to do it so. pic.twitter.com/BjffmacZCP
— Manish Tewari (@ManishTewari) May 30, 2025
This statement comes in the backdrop of India’s Operation Sindoor, a precision military strike targeting terrorist launchpads across the Line of Control (LoC) and deep into Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. India’s action followed conclusive intelligence linking the April Pahalgam attack to handlers based in Pakistan. Tewari’s remarks did not single out Pakistan by name, but the reference was unmistakable—pointing to the fusion between Pakistan’s state and non-state actors in fostering terrorism.
The delegation, comprising MPs from both the ruling party and opposition, emphasized to South African leaders and the global press that India’s zero-tolerance approach to terrorism transcends political affiliations and is a matter of national consensus.
Strategic Significance of the Warning
This was not just another political soundbite. Tewari’s words were aimed at reinforcing India’s deterrence narrative—not just militarily, but diplomatically. The visit to South Africa was part of India’s post-Operation Sindoor strategy to build international pressure on terror-sponsoring states.
Key points raised by the delegation included:
- India’s right to act under international law when faced with threats emanating from foreign soil.
- Urging global powers to sanction and isolate nations that act as breeding grounds or safe havens for terror outfits.
- Highlighting that India’s actions, including airstrikes, are measured, intelligence-driven, and proportionate, reflecting its commitment to international norms even while defending itself robustly.
Notably, the warning aligns with India’s broader diplomatic push at the UN Security Council and FATF to blacklist terror sponsors and pressurize them economically and diplomatically.
South Africa, as a member of the BRICS bloc, was seen as a crucial ally to gain wider support across the Global South. The Indian delegation’s goal was to ensure that countries understand the urgency of coordinated global action against terrorism, especially state-sponsored ones.
Manish Tewari’s strong-worded statement from South Africa signals a clear and unified policy stance by India on terrorism. Regardless of which party is in power, India will act decisively when its sovereignty or civilian lives are threatened. The message to Pakistan is direct: continuing to harbor or support terrorists will invoke India’s right to retaliate across the full spectrum of diplomatic and military options.
As India steps up its diplomatic efforts to isolate terror-sponsoring regimes globally, this statement reiterates that national security is beyond party politics, and India will not hesitate to act when provoked.
