Drawing a stark parallel between the October 2023 Hamas terror attack on Israel and India’s own experience with cross-border terrorism, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Wednesday said New Delhi is “too familiar with such mindless brutality”, a pointed reference to repeated terror strikes on Indian soil, including the April 2025 attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 persons.Addressing an event marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day here, Misri said, “India instinctively empathises with countries facing terrorism”, recalling the killing of nearly 1,200 Israeli civilians and the abduction of hundreds during the Hamas assault.“India is unfortunately too familiar with such mindless brutality, having been a victim of cross-border terrorism ourselves. We empathise immediately with those who undergo the same tragedy,” Misri said.He said India had unequivocally condemned the October 7 attack and reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s declaration of solidarity with Israel in its fight against terrorism.“This is why we not only condemned this horrific terrorist attack and hostage-taking, but also our Prime Minister clearly stated that India stands with the people of Israel in the fight against terrorism,” he added.Reflecting on the continuing relevance of Holocaust remembrance, the Foreign Secretary warned that history’s darkest chapters often begin not with violence, but with intolerance and silence. “The Holocaust did not begin with the extinguishing of life. It began with words – words of hatred, words of dehumanisation, words of exclusion,” Misri said.He cautioned against the normalisation of prejudice and discrimination, stressing that remembrance is not merely symbolic but a moral obligation.Reaffirming India’s long-standing position, Misri said terrorism must be condemned in all its forms and manifestations, while underlining New Delhi’s consistent support for genuine efforts to bring peace and stability to West Asia.Referring to recent diplomatic initiatives, he said the Gaza Peace Plan, led by the US, offered a credible pathway toward lasting peace in the region. “The ceasefire and the release of hostages have brought immense relief, as hostages have reunited with their families,” Misri said, expressing hope that the initiative would help pave the way for a durable and peaceful resolution to regional conflicts.International Holocaust Remembrance Day, observed annually on January 27, commemorates the six million Jews murdered by the Nazi regime during World War II. The date marks the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi concentration and death camp by Allied forces on January 27, 1945, and serves as a global reminder of the consequences of antisemitism, hatred and indifference.