At the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar delivered a strong message against countries that support terrorism, with a clear reference to Pakistan. Jaishankar asserted that terrorism is "antithetical to everything that the world stands for" and that all forms of it must be "resolutely opposed". He criticized Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism, stating that the country is making a "conscious choice" to be left behind due to its actions.
Jaishankar stated that some nations face challenges beyond their control, but others, like Pakistan, make choices that lead to disastrous outcomes. He added, "When this polity instills such fanaticism among its people, its GDP can only be measured in terms of radicalization, and its exports in the form of terrorism". He cautioned that the consequences of Pakistan's actions are increasingly affecting its own society and that Pakistan cannot blame the world for its condition, stating, "This is only Karma… A dysfunctional nation coveting the lands of others must be exposed and must be countered".
Jaishankar addressed assertions made by Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and declared, "Pakistan's cross-border terrorism policy will never succeed, and it can have no expectation of impunity. On the contrary, actions will certainly have consequences". He clarified that the primary issues between India and Pakistan are the vacation of illegally occupied Indian territory by Pakistan and Pakistan's need to abandon its support for terrorism. He also implicitly criticized China by stating that the process of sanctioning terrorists at the UN should not be delayed for political reasons.
On the broader global stage, Jaishankar emphasized the urgency of reforming multilateral institutions, including the United Nations. He supported the UN's theme of "Leaving No One Behind" but noted that some nations have taken more from the global system than they have contributed, calling for a more balanced international order. He stressed that essential resources like food, fertilizer, and fuel should never be compromised.
Furthermore, Jaishankar highlighted the global impact of terrorism by inaugurating an exhibition at the UN headquarters in New York titled "The Human Cost of Terrorism". The exhibition, organized by the Permanent Mission of India to the UN, showcases the devastating toll of terrorist acts worldwide and the steps taken by the international community to combat terrorism.
India has been a victim of state-sponsored cross-border terrorism for nearly three decades and is acutely aware of the socio-economic and human cost of terrorism. In January 2021, Jaishankar presented an eight-point action plan for the global fight against terrorism. India also hosted a Special Meeting of the Counter Terrorism Committee in Mumbai and Delhi in October 2022, adopting the "Delhi Declaration," a landmark document addressing the use of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes.
