External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar while speaking at the G-20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting in New York has called on the international community and the global governments to exhibit “zero tolerance” to terrorism. He has asserted that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations is a persistent threat to global peace and the developmental prospects. The repeated assertion by India at multilateral forums to champion a united front against terrorism is a testament to the consistent and credible effort of New Delhi in combating terrorism and securing the peace and prosperity of the country, region and the global community at large.
Earlier India had took a vocal and strong stance against terrorism at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization(SCO) held at Tianjin, China. Even the Tianjin Leaders’ Declaration had condemned the Pahalgam terror attack, marking a major diplomatic victory for India. Previously, in the SCO Defence Ministers’ meet, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had strongly refuted to sign the joint declaration that was not critical of terrorism. India, thus, at every global and multilateral forum seeks to make the terrorists and their backers accountable.
While speaking at the G-20 Foreign Ministers’ meet, EAM Jaishankar also expressed concerns regarding the escalating conflict in West Asia and Ukraine. He said, these ongoing wars are inflicting a huge cost on the developmental prospects and economic security of the Global South as it has led to supply chain disruption and inflation in the prices of essential commodities such as fertilizers, food and fuel. EAM also exclaimed that these inflationary pressure and supply chain disruptions are imposing additional burden on the hitherto fractured and disrupted geopolitical and geoeconomic order.
Spoke at the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting hosted by South Africa on the sidelines of #UNGA80.
Highlighted that in a politically & economically volatile international situation, G20 members have a particular responsibility to strengthen its stability and give it a more… https://t.co/1UOlg1I2v3 pic.twitter.com/YQnllt0iH0
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 25, 2025
EAM further exclaimed that these economic and political disruptions have induced considerable pressure for many nations in Asia, Africa and Latin America. “The costs to the Global South in terms of energy, food and fertiliser security were starkly demonstrated by on-going conflicts, particularly in Ukraine and Gaza”, EAM said. The conflicts are a major bottleneck for the global stability and sustainable development. “Peace can enable development, but by threatening development, we cannot facilitate peace”, Dr. Jaishankar added.
EAM Jaishankar also hailed the importance of “dialogue and diplomacy” to end conflicts and geopolitical rivalries. He also indirectly mentioned the multi-alignment approach of India and affirmed that countries with the ability to engage with the conflicting parties can play a pivotal role for the international community and in establishing peace. “In any conflict situation, there will be a few who have the ability to engage both sides. Such countries can be utilised by the international community to achieve peace and to maintain it,” Jaishankar opined.
