India issued a strong condemnation of Pakistan during a United Nations session after Islamabad reacted to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s comments regarding terrorism, even though Pakistan was not explicitly named in his address. This exchange occurred during the UN General Assembly, where Jaishankar described a “neighbour that has become the epicentre of global terrorism.” In response, Rentala Srinivas, Second Secretary at India’s Permanent Mission to the UN, provided a robust Right of Reply, asserting that Pakistan’s choice to respond indicated its longstanding history of supporting cross-border terrorism. “It is telling that a country which was not even named in the minister’s address felt compelled to react, thereby admitting its longstanding practice of terrorism as a state policy,” Srinivas stated.
He emphasized that Pakistan’s record is evident in various regions, with its role in promoting terrorism being a global concern rather than just a threat to neighboring countries. India has persistently raised alarms on international platforms regarding Pakistan’s provision of safe havens, financial support, and logistical aid to terrorist groups. Srinivas noted that the repercussions of Pakistan’s actions reach beyond South Asia, threatening peace and security worldwide. This incident highlighted the ongoing diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan, with terrorism remaining a key issue. While Pakistan often claims that India diverts attention from other issues, India has reiterated that Pakistan must dismantle its terror infrastructure before any discussions on other subjects can advance.
Experts observed that Jaishankar’s indirect comments and Pakistan’s swift rebuttal underscore the deep-seated animosity evident at the UN, where both nations regularly challenge each other’s policies.