'India has every right to defend itself against terrorism': Germany on Operation Sindoor

Addressing a joint press conference with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is visiting Berlin, German Foreign Minister Johann 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 added.

The minister also called for peace between the two neighbours and highlighted that a dialogue is essential to find bilateral solutions, supporting India's stand, given that US President Donald Trump has offered to mediate.

"What is important now is that this truce remains stable, that dialogue can happen to find bilateral solutions," he said.

The fact that India will deal with Pakistan only bilaterally has been stressed by India repeatedly since Trump made an offer to solve the Kashmir issue.

India has maintained that any talks with Pakistan will be bilateral and will be restricted to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Jaishankar expressed his appreciation to Germany for understanding India's right to defend itself against terrorism.

"India will deal with Pakistan purely bilaterally. There should be no confusion in any quarter in that regard," Jaishankar once again said in his address.

In his first address to the nation after Operation Sindoor, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that India will not give in to nuclear blackmail by Pakistan, and Jaishankar underscored this as well.

"I come to Berlin in the immediate aftermath of India responding to the Pahalgam terror attack. India has zero tolerance for terrorism. India will never give in to nuclear blackmail... We also value Germany's understanding that every nation has the right to defend itself against terrorism," Jaishankar said.

Operation Sindoor was a fierce military operation launched by the Indian Air Force (IAF) on May 7 in response to the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 tourists who were enjoying their vacation at Baisaran Valley, which is referred to as India's Switzerland.

The operation aimed to dismantle terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

After the Pakistan Army again targeted Indian civilians and resorted to cross-border firing, the Indian Armed Forces retaliated, destroying defence systems of the hostile neighbour.