Jaishankar rebuffs Pakistani reporter at UNGA: ‘A terrorist country is asking me?’
Jaishankar is scheduled to formally address the High-Level Session on Saturday.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar rebuffed a Pakistani journalist during a press briefing at the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Friday. When the reporter asked when India would stop sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan, Jaishankar responded sharply, "A terrorist country is asking me that question." This incident occurred at the end of a press conference alongside Sara Beysolow Nyanti, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Liberia, which focused on the Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers.
Jaishankar, leading the Indian delegation for the High-Level Week of the 81st UNGA session, had already engaged in several bilateral meetings before this formal address scheduled for Saturday. The exchange underscored India's persistent demand for credible action from Pakistan regarding cross-border terrorism. The tensions have been heightened following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, which killed 26 civilians.
India's response to the attack, Operation Sindoor, has earned recognition from various nations due to its efforts in defending against terrorism. Global condemnation of the Pahalgam attack was also documented in a UN Security Council Press Statement in April 2025. India continues to lead campaigns against terror financing and safe havens in Pakistan, resulting in the international listing of numerous terrorist entities and individuals.
Jaishankar highlighted recent maritime tragedies involving Indian nationals, emphasizing the escalating threats to global shipping. He noted attacks on Indian-flagged vessels in the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz, as well as incidents in the Black Sea, including the killing of an Indian seafarer on the MV Omorfi and the death of four Indian crew members on the MV Golden Leo.
Jaishankar stressed the indefensibility of these actions disrupting maritime commerce and the massive economic stakes involved, with international trade exceeding $140 billion daily, supported by nearly two million seafarers.
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