India’s S Jaishankar Condemns State-Sponsored Terror at UN, Cites Pahalgam Attack

New Delhi, September 28, 2025: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar delivered a strong indictment of cross-border terrorism at the 80th United Nations General Assembly on Saturday, sharply criticizing Pakistan as a hub of global terror. In his address, Jaishankar declared that some nations have institutionalized terrorism as “state policy,” urging the international community to take decisive action against such practices. Opening his speech with “Namaskar from the people of Bharat,” Jaishankar recalled the founding principles of the UN, emphasizing that the organization’s mission extends beyond preventing war to actively building peace and upholding human dignity. He framed India’s stance on counter-terrorism within these ideals, stressing that global cooperation is crucial to confront the menace. Turning to recent events, he referenced the April Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives. Jaishankar noted, “India has confronted this challenge since its independence, having a neighbour that is an epicentre of global terrorism. For decades, major international terrorist attacks can be traced back to that one country. The most recent example of cross-border barbarism was the murder of innocent tourists in Pahalgam.” He underlined that India has consistently defended its citizens while bringing perpetrators to justice, but stressed that the issue demands a broader international response. “When nations openly declare terrorism a state policy, when terror hubs operate on an industrial scale, and when terrorists are publicly glorified, such actions must be unequivocally condemned,” Jaishankar said, directly addressing the global community. Highlighting the importance of coordinated measures, he called for a crackdown on terror financing and for sanctions against prominent terrorists. “Relentless pressure must be applied across the entire terrorism ecosystem. Those who condone nations that sponsor terror must understand that such support eventually backfires,” he warned, stressing the need for a united international front. Jaishankar also tied terrorism to wider social consequences, describing it as a synthesis of “bigotry, violence, intolerance, and fear.” He urged member nations to take action not just against individual incidents but against systemic support for terror networks. During the session, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif criticized India’s policies in Kashmir and accused New Delhi of violating international agreements, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty in response to the Pahalgam attack. Sharif claimed Pakistan would continue to support the Kashmiri people in their “fundamental right to self-determination.” India firmly rejected these claims, accusing Pakistan of glorifying terrorism and engaging in “absurd theatrics” at the UN. Officials highlighted that while Pakistan attempts to deflect attention, the reality remains that state-sponsored terror continues to pose a threat to regional and global security. Jaishankar’s address emphasized that counter-terrorism is not just a national imperative but a global responsibility. He urged countries to act decisively, isolate terror sponsors, and ensure that no nation uses terrorism as a tool of policy. His message was clear: terrorism cannot be tolerated under any guise, and state-backed terror must face international condemnation and action. By framing Pakistan as a persistent source of cross-border terrorism and calling for collective accountability, India positioned itself at the forefront of the global anti-terrorism discourse at the UN, reinforcing its commitment to both national security and international peace S Jaishankar Blasts State-Sponsored Terror at UN At the UN General Assembly, India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called out Pakistan as a hub of global terrorism, terming terror a “state policy” in some nations. He cited the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people, urging the world to act against terror financing and networks. Emphasizing India’s commitment to defend its citizens, Jaishankar stressed that glorifying terrorists must be condemned and perpetrators sanctioned. He warned that nations condoning terror sponsors will face consequences. His address highlighted the need for a united global response to tackle cross-border terrorism and uphold peace and security.