Will exercise right to defend from terror: India at UN
India reaffirmed its commitment to defending itself against terrorism at the United Nations General Assembly, asserting that peace and friendship cannot coexist with the threat of terrorism. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar criticized Pakistan's prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, for normalizing terrorism during his speech at the UN.
Jaishankar emphasized that understanding premised on such a premise will be called into question, and the perpetrator of terrorism must mend its ways. He stressed that "friendship and goodwill cannot co-exist with terrorism" and that governments indulging in such practices must be held accountable.
Sharif, in his speech, credited former US President Donald Trump for "timely intervention" in the 2025 conflict against India. He also raised the issue of Kashmir and the Indus Waters Treaty, stating that India would hold these in abeyance until Pakistan ends its support for cross-border and all other forms of terror. Sharif called for reformed multilateralism, noting that the post-1945 order is giving way to new realities and that the turbulence witnessed today emanates from these difficulties.
Jaishankar highlighted the weaponization of everything, stating that after eight decades of the UN, there should have been an enabling environment for peace, but instead, he sees extreme competition undermining institutions and establishing choke points. He emphasized that attacks on commercial vessels claiming the lives of Indian seafarers alongside those from other nations is completely unacceptable and that safety and security of shipping and seafarers must never be compromised.
Regarding the Palestine-Israel conflict, Jaishankar stressed the need for a two-state solution to achieve lasting peace, emphasizing India's commitment to providing humanitarian assistance for Palestinians amid the ongoing war in Gaza. He noted that India is contributing to relief efforts for the Palestinian people and that the recent BRICS summit in New Delhi had pitched for a Palestine state.
Written by urgent.news from The Economic Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
