External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, in a powerful address at the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), took a sharp dig at Pakistan over its involvement in terrorism. He accused the country of making a “conscious choice” to isolate itself in the global order due to its actions. Jaishankar’s remarks came in response to comments made by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who had compared the situation in Jammu and Kashmir to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In his speech at the high-level debate, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar drew a distinction between countries that struggle due to factors beyond their control and those whose difficulties arise from deliberate choices. According to Jaishankar, Pakistan’s policies and actions have had long-term negative consequences, leading to its present situation. He used Pakistan as an example to illustrate how certain decisions can have far-reaching and adverse effects on a nation.
He further criticised Pakistan for instilling fanaticism within its polity and society, claiming that the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is measurable only in terms of radicalization and its chief export is terrorism. Their actions, unfortunately, have negative impacts on others, particularly neighboring countries, he added.
Jaishankar made it clear that Pakistan should not blame the world for its current conditions but should instead recognize its own actions as the cause. Referring to the principle of karma, he stressed that Pakistan’s current dysfunctional state was a result of its own decisions, particularly its focus on terrorism and territorial ambitions. Jaishankar emphasized the need to address and counter the actions of what he described as a “dysfunctional nation” that seeks to claim the territories of others.
Jaishankar’s remarks were a direct response to the speech delivered by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the UNGA the day before. Sharif had drawn a parallel between the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and that of Palestine, framing the dispute as one of a people fighting for their right to self-determination. In his speech, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called on India to reverse its 2019 decision to abrogate Article 370, which had previously conferred special status to Jammu and Kashmir. He urged India to restore the region’s autonomy and advocated for a dialogue grounded in United Nations Security Council resolutions, highlighting the importance of addressing the aspirations and self-determination of the Kashmiri people in the resolution of the issue.
Sharif accused India of rejecting Islamabad’s proposal for a mutual strategic restraint regime and claimed that Indian leadership had threatened to cross the Line of Control (LoC) into what Pakistan refers to as “Azad Kashmir.”
Jaishankar, in his rebuttal, made India’s position clear, stating that Pakistan’s long-standing policy of cross-border terrorism would never succeed. He also warned that Pakistan could not expect impunity for such actions. In his address, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar responded to what he described as “bizarre assertions” made during the previous day’s discussions at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). He emphasized India’s stance on Pakistan, stating that the country’s strategy of engaging in cross-border terrorism is destined to fail. Jaishankar further clarified that Pakistan cannot expect to act without facing repercussions for its actions, asserting that such behavior will inevitably lead to consequences.
He emphasized that the only issue between the two countries is the vacation of Pakistan-occupied Indian territory and that Pakistan’s attachment to terrorism must end.
Pakistan’s Hypocrisy Exposed
Jaishankar’s criticism of Pakistan was echoed by Indian diplomat Bhavika Mangalanandan, who also delivered a strong response to Sharif’s earlier statements. She labeled Pakistan’s use of cross-border terrorism as a weapon against its neighbors as “hypocrisy at its worst.” Mangalanandan highlighted Pakistan’s history of attacks on Indian institutions and civilians, including the Indian Parliament, Mumbai, and various marketplaces.
He said that for a country like Pakistan to comment on violence in any context reflects a level of hypocrisy, noting that the international community is well aware of Pakistan’s use of terrorism as a state policy.
Global Challenges and the Call for Reform
In addition to addressing Pakistan’s actions, Jaishankar’s speech also touched upon several pressing global issues, including the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. He emphasized that the world was gathered at the UN at a time of significant global crises and underscored the need for collective action to address these challenges.
We are here at a difficult time, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar remarked while expressing support for the 79th UNGA theme, “Leaving No One Behind.” He highlighted that some countries benefit more from the international system than they contribute, which has intensified global issues such as terrorism, violence, and shortages of food, fertilizer, and fuel.
Jaishankar reiterated the importance of reforming multilateral institutions like the United Nations to better address these challenges, arguing that the UN cannot effectively function if it remains divided on critical issues.
Concluding his address, Jaishankar highlighted India’s recent achievements, including the Chandrayaan-3 moon landing, its development of 5G technology, and its role in global vaccine distribution. He positioned India’s journey toward becoming a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India) as a model for positive global change.
“Our quest for a Viksit Bharat will understandably be followed closely,” Jaishankar said, emphasizing that India’s progress demonstrated that big changes are possible and could serve as an inspiration for other nations.
With his remarks, Jaishankar not only defended India’s position on terrorism and Kashmir but also projected India’s vision for a future rooted in development, innovation, and global cooperation.
