S Jaishankar slams Pakistan at UNGA – says ‘serial practitioner of terrorism’ can’t claim immunity | Today’s news
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday (September 26) hit out at Pakistan at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, accusing Islamabad of distorting facts and trying to normalize terrorism.
While Jaishankar did not directly name Pakistan in his remarks, he was referring to the address delivered by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the UN General Assembly yesterday. In his speech, Sharif raised issues including India-Pakistan tensions, Kashmir and Indus waters.
“Yesterday, a serial practitioner of terrorism distorted the facts before this assembly,” Jaishankar said.
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S Jaishankar criticized Pakistan as a “serial practitioner of terrorism” at the UN General Assembly, accusing it of distorting the facts and trying to normalize terrorism.
He stated that India’s relations with countries involved in terrorism would be adversely affected, arguing that goodwill cannot be built on the foundation of terrorism.
Rejecting Pakistan’s allegations, India, through its representative, highlighted Islamabad’s long-standing practice of cross-border terrorism and warned of consequences for continued acts of terrorism.
Yes, Jaishankar noted that the responsibility for change lies with those who commit terrorism, implying that Pakistan must address its involvement in such activities.
India pointed out that the Pakistani prime minister raised the issues while facing internal crises, highlighting the ongoing unrest and political challenges in Pakistan, including the situation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
He added that arguments had been made for “normalizing terrorism” and seeking immunity from its consequences.
“This will not stand. Our right to defend against terrorism will be exercised,” said the foreign affairs minister.
Jaishankar: Terrorism and friendship cannot co-exist
Jaishankar said India’s relations with countries that engage in terrorism will inevitably be affected.
“Friendship and goodwill cannot coexist with terrorism and the understanding based on that will naturally be challenged,” he said.
He further said that the responsibility for change rested on those who carry out terrorist activities.
“It is up to the perpetrator of terrorism to mend his ways,” Jaishankar said.
India calls for zero tolerance on terrorism
Jaishankar also called for accountability of governments that support or engage in terrorism.
“Governments that indulge in such practices must be held accountable. Our zero-tolerance approach to terrorism must not be weakened,” he said.
He specifically highlighted the financial networks associated with terrorism and said that the financial aspects of terrorist activity must be exposed and countered.
The remarks underscore India’s long-standing position that terrorism should remain central to its engagement with Pakistan and that dialogue and normal relations cannot be divorced from security interests.
Journalist Pak’s question elicits a sharp reaction from Jaishankar
On Friday, Jaishankar also reacted sharply to a Pakistani journalist who questioned him about India’s alleged support for terrorism in Pakistan. “A terrorist country is asking me that question,” Jaishankar said during a press conference in New York.
India’s latest comments at the UN came shortly after Sharif’s speech, in which the Pakistani prime minister discussed terrorism, Kashmir, the Indus water dispute and last year’s military confrontation with India.
In a speech at the UN General Assembly, Sharif accused India of aggression and said Pakistan exercised its right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter during last year’s conflict. Sharif also said that any attempt to stop, defend or divert Pakistan’s share of Indus waters would be considered an “act of war”.
This is a developing story.
