External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has called for a united global front against terrorism, emphasizing that there should be "no impunity to terrorists, no treating them as proxies, and no yielding to nuclear blackmail". Speaking at the UN headquarters in New York on Monday, Jaishankar inaugurated an exhibition titled 'The Human Cost of Terrorism,' underscoring the severe threat terrorism poses to humanity and the principles of the United Nations.
Jaishankar, currently on a three-day visit to the U.S., highlighted the importance of remembering the victims of terrorism and acting decisively against it. He urged the UN to protect human rights and values threatened by terrorism, emphasizing the shared responsibility of the global community to combat it in all its forms. He stressed that terrorism contradicts the UN's core values, including human rights, international norms, and peaceful international relations.
Referring to the April 22 Pahalgam attack, Jaishankar noted the UN Security Council's strong condemnation of the act and its demand for accountability. He asserted that India's response to the Pahalgam attack demonstrates a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism. Following the attack, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Jaishankar called for the exposure and countering of any state sponsorship of terrorism. He stated that terrorism anywhere is a threat to peace everywhere, and this understanding should guide collective global responses. He added that when a state supports terrorism against a neighbor and it drives illegal activities, it is imperative to call it out publicly.
The exhibition, 'The Human Cost of Terrorism,' is on display at the UN headquarters from June 30 to July 3 and July 7 to July 11. It opened a day before Pakistan began its Presidency of the UN Security Council for July. The exhibition aims to showcase the devastating impact of terrorism worldwide, including attacks in Mumbai and Pahalgam. It highlights terror groups responsible for these acts, many of which are based in Pakistan.
In a post on X, Jaishankar conveyed the strong message of zero tolerance for terrorism, emphasizing no impunity for terrorists, no use of them as proxies, no yielding to nuclear blackmail, and the need to expose state sponsorship. He also underlined the urgent responsibility of the global community to combat terrorism in all its manifestations.