S Jaishankar: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar hit out at Pakistan during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), calling the country “a serial practitioner of terrorism” who presented “a skewed version of facts” before the UNGA. Addressing the session, he said any measures to escape the consequences of terrorism would not be accepted.
Jaishankar’s strong message at UNGA
Addressing the debate on the UN General Assembly at United Nations on Thursday, Jaishankar pointed out that terrorism continues to be a serious challenge to international peace and security. There should be accountability for those governments that support or indulge in terrorism, he said. “We will exercise our right to defend ourselves against terrorism.” Jaishankar also laid out India’s approach towards self-defense: “We will exercise our right to defend ourselves against terrorism, and attempts to normalize or claim immunity from the consequences of terrorism will not succeed.”
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Remarks came after Shehbaz Sharif’s UNGA address
Earlier, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had also addressed the UNGA. He had even alluded to the 2025 India-Pakistan military face-off and Kashmir question in his speech. Jaishankar countered Sharif without explicitly referring to him by name, 2019/12/ (4): “Arguments to legitimize terror and to escape its aftereffects are unacceptable. Friendship and goodwill cannot travel on terrorism, linking the future of understanding to the imperative of counter-terrorism.
India maintains its zero-tolerance position
The minister again asserted India will not compromise its stance on terror. The minister’s statement backed the traditional Indian line that Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism must be held accountable and that India reserved the right to combat terror. Apart from the India-Pakistan flash point, Jaishankar also commented on issues in West Asia and Ukraine in his UNGA address. He urged for restraint, de-escalation, and safe havens for civilians and assured the uninterrupted flow of energy and trade while underscoring India’s humanitarian aid and outreach to nations of the Global South.
More on the global war on terrorism
Terrorism has been discussed as part of the broader discussion on peace and security at the United Nations, he added. India believes that terrorism cannot be normalised and those backing it should be held accountable, Jaishankar said in a statement at the General Assembly.
