NEW DELHI: External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Saturday reiterated India’s stance against terrorism and said that the nation would never equate the perpetrators of Pahalgam terror attack with their victims. He also thanked United Kingdom government for condemning the April 22 attack that killed 26.“We practice a policy of zero tolerance against terrorism and expect our partners to understand it,” he said, speaking at his meeting with UK foreign secretary David Lammy. “We will never countenance perpetrators of evil being put at par with its victims.”“I thank the Government of the United Kingdom for the strong condemnation of the barbaric terrorist attack in Pahalgam in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and for your solidarity and support to India in the fight against terrorism. We practice a policy of zero tolerance against terrorism and expect our partners to understand it,” he added.Furthermore, Jaishankar hailed the India-UK FTA as a milestone that will boost trade and strengthen bilateral ties. “The recent conclusion of the India-UK FTA and the Double Contribution Convention is truly a milestone. It will not only propel our two-way trade and investment but will also have a positive effect on other strategic aspects of our bilateral ties. It would also contribute to the strengthening of supply and value chains,” the minister added. Jaishankar told his British counterpart David Lammy that he is pleased to welcome him to India.“I am pleased to welcome you back to India. We just had a very good meeting with Prime Minister Modi, and I think your visit at this time gives us an occasion to assess our comprehensive strategic partnership, which I believe has strengthened across all sectors in recent times.”
