His remarks came a day after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed the Assembly and spoke about India-Pakistan tensions, Kashmir and the Indus waters issue. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar used India’s address at the 81st United Nations General Assembly on Saturday to issue a warning over cross-border terrorism, saying New Delhi would defend itself against attacks and their sponsors.
It is for the perpetrator of terrorism to change its ways,” Jaishankar said. “A serial practitioner of terrorism has misrepresented facts before this Assembly, seeking to normalise terrorism and claim immunity from its consequences. That will not stand. We will exercise our right to defend ourselves against terrorism. Friendship and goodwill cannot coexist with terrorism. Understandings based on them will naturally be called into question.
Therefore, it is imperative to strengthen stability, security, and predictability.
The remarks were directed at Pakistan, according to reports on his speech. He said the financing of terrorist groups needed particular attention. These are crucial elements of the enabling environment for peace,” he said.
Jaishankar also asked countries to act against governments that support terrorism across borders. The UNGA speech came after another exchange involving Jaishankar in New York. During a media event with Liberian Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti, a Pakistani journalist asked when India would stop sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan. In his General Assembly address, Jaishankar also spoke about the wider conditions needed for peace. “Peace is not just the absence of war. If the world is subjected to continuous threats and pressures. Then we are really living on the edge of an abyss. All it takes is one more step. To push us over.
Sharif had addressed the UNGA on Friday and referred to Kashmir, the Indus waters issue and the recent tensions between India and Pakistan.
