External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar used India’s address to the 81st United Nations General Assembly to emphasise counterterrorism and the country’s right to defend itself against terrorist threats. Without naming Pakistan, Jaishankar referred to the previous day’s remarks at the Assembly and criticised what he described as attempts to misrepresent facts and normalise terrorism. He said countries enabling terrorism should face accountability and stressed the need to counter financial networks supporting such activities. The remarks came amid continuing India-Pakistan tensions over cross-border terrorism.
S Jaishankar Takes Aim at Pakistan’s Terrorism Record in UN Speech
Defending India’s stand on counterterrorism, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar gave a sharp response to comments made at the global forum a day earlier during his address at the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
Terrorism and global security formed the centrepiece of India’s message to the world in S Jaishankar’s UNGA speech, reasserting New Delhi’s stance on accountability and cross-border threats.
81st United Nations General Assembly, India has the right to respond to terrorism, and governments that support terrorism must face consequences under international norms, said S Jaishankar.
India’s Foreign Minister S Jaishankar did not name Pakistan or Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif but referred to statements made a day earlier before the Assembly and challenged what he called misleading representations.
Addressing the delegates, S Jaishankar said the Assembly was told “wrong facts by a serial practitioner of terrorism,” and it tried to normalise the actions that should not be immune.
India will continue to exercise its right to defend itself against terrorism, while at the same time maintaining that accountability remains essential for preserving international peace and security frameworks, he said.
India’s Message on Terrorism and Cross-Border Security
India’s stance was elaborated by S Jaishankar, who said terrorism was still a constant threat to global peace and state-sponsored activities were a direct challenge to international order.
Governments and international institutions should take terrorism with cross-border objectives seriously, and there should be no weakening of global counterterrorism commitments, the minister said.
“Countries engaged in such practices must be held accountable,” S Jaishankar said, adding that financial networks supporting terrorism must be identified, exposed and effectively countered through cooperation.
He further connected diplomatic relations with security issues, asserting that friendship and goodwill could not be reconciled with terrorism, and that such contradictions would unavoidably impact bilateral understandings.
“Those who enable and perpetuate terrorism, it is their responsibility to improve relations, not those who face the consequences,” S Jaishankar said, referring back to the source of the terrorist activity.
The comments reflected a long-standing Indian position that cross-border terrorism remains a core security concern that must be kept on the international agenda through political, diplomatic and financial means.
For global audiences watching developments at the United Nations, the speech reaffirmed India’s effort to keep terror high on the international agenda in the face of wider geopolitical challenges.
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Focus Shifts to Gulf Conflict and Global Economic Stability
S Jaishankar also spoke on other ongoing conflicts that affect international stability, saying that the world was witnessing economic and security consequences for countries that are far away geographically from wars.
He said countries with little say in conflicts often suffer the worst consequences and called on the United Nations General Assembly to recognise changing global realities.
S Jaishankar said he was concerned about continuing hostilities and their impact on an already difficult international environment characterised by uncertainty and disruption, highlighting the Gulf region tensions.
The minister had particular concerns about the threats to commercial shipping and seafarers operating in international waterways, calling such incidents unacceptable within current global norms.
India called on all parties to regional conflicts to exercise restraint and de-escalate tensions, and protect civilians and the uninterrupted movement of energy supplies and commercial trade routes.
“India supports efforts to resolve conflicts, where an endless war gives way to peace efforts,” Jaishankar said, quoting a previous statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He also pointed out the importance of protecting the maritime crews, maintaining the food grain distribution channels and safeguarding the energy supply chains, which are essential to global economic stability.
The address attempted to strike a balance between India's security interests and wider calls for peace, Sprouts News reported, showing New Delhi's wish to remain engaged in international efforts on terrorism, conflict, food security and energy.
