Serial practitioner of terrorism cannot claim immunity from consequences: India slams Pak at UN

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at the UNGA accused a "serial practitioner of terrorism" of misrepresenting facts and attempting to normalise terrorism, asserting India's right to self-defence and warning that terrorism cannot coexist with goodwill.

In Short

• S Jaishankar asserts India’s right to defend itself against terror attacks
• India backs a two-state solution for lasting peace in West Asia
• Jaishankar flags a 4F crisis facing the Global South

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday reiterated India's zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism, calling for governments that support or facilitate terror activities to be held accountable and for the financial networks backing terrorism to be exposed and dismantled.

Addressing the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Jaishankar said there could be no dilution in the global fight against terrorism and asserted India's right to defend itself against terror attacks.

“Governments indulging in such practices must be held accountable. There must be no dilution in our zero tolerance approach towards terrorism,” Jaishankar said. He added that the financial aspects of terrorism, in particular, “should be exposed and should be countered.”

JAISHANKAR REFERENCES TERRORISM AT UN

Without naming Pakistan directly in the portion of his address, Jaishankar criticised what he described as attempts to normalise terrorism and provide immunity from its consequences.

“Yesterday, a serial practitioner of terrorism misrepresented facts before this Assembly,” he said, referring to remarks made at the UNGA on Friday. Jaishankar said arguments had been made to normalise terrorism and seek immunity from its consequences.

“That will not stand,” he said, asserting that India's right to defend itself against terrorism would be exercised.

Jaishankar's remarks came amid continued tensions between India and Pakistan over cross-border terrorism. India has consistently accused Pakistan of supporting terrorist groups and has maintained that its response to the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack was an exercise of its right to self-defence.

The Pahalgam attack killed 26 civilians, mostly tourists. India subsequently launched Operation Sindoor, targeting what the government described as terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

‘TERRORISM AND GOODWILL CANNOT COEXIST’

Jaishankar also linked the fight against terrorism with relations between countries, saying cooperation and goodwill could not continue unchanged when terrorism was being used as an instrument.

“Friendship and goodwill cannot coexist with terrorism,” he said, adding that understandings based on such relationships would “naturally be called into question”.

“It is for the perpetrator of terrorism to mend its way,” the External Affairs Minister said.

India has repeatedly maintained that cross-border terrorism cannot be separated from bilateral relations and has argued that countries providing support, financing or safe haven to terrorist groups must be held responsible.

In its official priorities for the 81st UNGA, India has also highlighted counter-terrorism financing, terrorist travel and greater accountability for perpetrators, financiers and sponsors of terrorism.

INDIA BACKS TWO-STATE SOLUTION FOR WEST ASIA

On West Asia, Jaishankar reiterated India's support for a two-state solution and said India was contributing to humanitarian assistance and relief efforts for the Palestinian people.

“We strongly believe that a durable and lasting peace requires a two-state solution,” he said.

India has consistently supported a negotiated two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict, while also calling for humanitarian assistance to civilians affected by the conflict.

“The targeting of commercial shipping and seafarers transiting international waterways is simply unacceptable,” he said.

Jaishankar called on all parties to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions, protect civilians and ensure an uninterrupted flow of energy and commerce.

4F CRISIS: JAISHANKAR FLAGS GLOBAL SOUTH CHALLENGES

Jaishankar also highlighted the challenges facing the Global South, describing them as a “4F crisis” involving food, fuel, fertiliser and finance.

He said the combined impact of a super El Nio and fertiliser shortages was creating impediments to the movement of grain and raising concerns over food security.

He also said progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals was coming under increasing pressure, while the Global South's right to industrialise was being undermined by non-market practices and restrictions on market access.

‘WEAPONISATION OF EVERYTHING’ A CONCERN

Jaishankar further warned about the misuse of artificial intelligence, saying it was sharpening existing biases and weakening mutual respect.

He criticised what he described as the growing “weaponisation of everything”, saying extreme competition was undermining institutions and disrupting supply chains.

According to Jaishankar, finance, market access, technology, resources and connectivity were increasingly being used as leverage.

He said the international community needed to address these challenges while strengthening cooperation and ensuring that global institutions remained responsive to the needs of developing countries.

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