Washington DC/IBNS, July 2 -- External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday (US local time) spoke about India's right to defend its people against terrorism in reference to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

"A word about terrorism in the light of our recent experience. I am very pleased to be back in DC for the second time this year for a Quad Foreign Ministers' meeting. We are all committed to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific. To that end, our endeavours are devoted to promoting a rules-based international order.

"It is essential that nations of the Indo-Pacific have the freedom of choice so essential to make the right decisions on development and security...," he added.

The foreign ministers of QUAD nations (Australia, India...