Jaishankar Rebukes Pakistan at UNGA Over Terrorism Record
S Jaishankar hit back at Pakistan at the UN General Assembly, saying a serial practitioner of terrorism cannot claim immunity, after Shehbaz Sharif raised Kashmir and the Indus waters.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar used India's turn at the United Nations General Assembly to deliver a sharp response to Pakistan, describing it as a "serial practitioner of terrorism" that cannot claim immunity.
Although Jaishankar did not name Pakistan directly, his remarks were aimed at the address delivered a day earlier by Pakistan's Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif. Sharif had used his UNGA speech to raise India-Pakistan tensions, the Kashmir issue and the Indus waters.
The exchange marks the latest round in the diplomatic sparring between the two neighbours at the world body, with New Delhi using its platform to push back against Islamabad's assertions.
Jaishankar's formulation sought to frame the debate around accountability, arguing that a state with a documented record of sponsoring terrorism cannot seek protection from scrutiny. The minister's comments underscored India's long-standing position at multilateral forums, where it has consistently highlighted cross-border terrorism as a central concern.
Pakistan's prime minister had devoted part of his UNGA address to bilateral disputes, including the sharing of the Indus waters, an issue that has remained a flashpoint between the two countries. India has rejected Pakistan's characterisation of such matters.
The tit-for-tat interventions at the General Assembly reflect the continued freeze in India-Pakistan ties, with little sign of a diplomatic breakthrough. Both sides have used the annual gathering to press their respective narratives before the international community.