Pahalgam Terror Attack: A Deliberate Blow to India’s Economy, Says EAM Jaishankar

In a strong and emotionally charged statement, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has called the recent terror attack in Pahalgam not just an act of violence, but a calculated assault on the country’s economic lifeline—tourism.

Speaking at a press event following the brutal ambush that left several lives shattered and injured many, Jaishankar didn’t mince words. He described the incident as a clear case of “economic warfare,” designed to instill fear and disrupt peace in one of India’s most promising tourism destinations—Kashmir.

Targeting the Heart of Kashmir’s Revival

For the past few years, Kashmir has slowly but surely been reclaiming its place on the global tourism map. Places like Pahalgam, Gulmarg, and Sonamarg have seen a revival, with tourists returning in increasing numbers, lured by the promise of pristine beauty and relative calm.

But the recent attack—carefully timed and brutally executed—aims to do more than just create panic. According to Jaishankar, the real intention lies deeper.

“This wasn’t just about creating casualties,” he said. “It was about scaring off the world. About damaging livelihoods. About sabotaging hope.”

By striking at a region that has just begun to bloom again, the perpetrators are, in effect, sending a message: peace won’t be tolerated. And this, the minister insisted, is a direct hit on India’s economy, especially its growing reliance on sustainable tourism in conflict-sensitive zones like Kashmir.

A Strategy Meant to Weaken from Within

Terror, in its traditional sense, creates fear. But modern terrorism, Jaishankar explained, has evolved. “It’s not only about guns and grenades anymore. It’s about undermining confidence—of tourists, of investors, and of locals who are trying to rebuild their lives.”

The Pahalgam region, in particular, has seen a surge in tourism post-2022, with thousands of Indian and foreign tourists choosing it as a summer getaway. The attack occurred just as the Amarnath Yatra season was gaining momentum, a time when Kashmir usually sees a peak in visitor traffic.

Experts now believe that the timing was no accident. Hitting the region at its economic high point sends a chilling message—not just to the Indian state, but to every Kashmiri who has pinned their hopes on tourism for a better future.

Security Measures Under the Scanner

In the wake of the attack, questions are naturally being raised about security protocols in high-tourist-density zones. How did the assailants manage to ambush a bus under protection? Were there intelligence lapses? And most importantly, what needs to change?

Jaishankar reassured the public that a thorough investigation is underway, not only to find those responsible but also to rework the very framework of tourism-related security in Kashmir.

“There will be accountability. There will be a response. But more importantly, there will be resilience,” he asserted.

India’s Response: Strength Through Unity

In a landscape already fraught with geopolitical tension, the Pahalgam incident adds a new layer of complexity. Yet, the minister remained firm in his stance that the government would not allow such acts to derail the progress made in Kashmir.

“Every time there is peace, someone tries to break it. But every time they do, we will rebuild stronger,” Jaishankar said.

He emphasized that the central government, in coordination with the Jammu and Kashmir administration, is committed to ensuring that tourism doesn’t become collateral damage in a political or ideological conflict.

In fact, in an effort to show defiance against fear, the minister hinted at plans to promote Kashmir even more aggressively in international tourism forums. “We will not let them win,” he stated.

The Bigger Picture: Economic Warfare Is Real

The term “economic warfare” may sound abstract, but in regions like Kashmir, it manifests in very real, painful ways. A drop in tourism means loss of income for local guides, houseboat owners, taxi drivers, artisans, and hoteliers. It impacts everything from handloom sales to local food vendors.

This kind of warfare isn’t just about loss of revenue—it’s about eroding the very social fabric that binds the region. When people lose faith in a peaceful future, extremism finds more fertile ground.

And that’s exactly what Jaishankar believes the masterminds behind the Pahalgam attack are aiming for.

Moving Forward: A Call for Vigilance and Unity

While India mourns the lives lost and prays for those injured, there’s a growing consensus that the fight against terrorism must now include a strong economic defense. Ensuring that regions like Kashmir remain open, safe, and economically vibrant is no longer just a matter of development—it’s a matter of national security.

Jaishankar’s remarks serve as a sobering reminder: terrorism today wears many masks. And one of the most dangerous is the mask that tries to choke economies in silence.

But perhaps his most powerful message was also his simplest: “Kashmir is rising. And no force, no bullet, no threat can stop it.”