External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar responded sharply to a Pakistani journalist during a press interaction at the United Nations headquarters in New York on September 25, after the journalist questioned India over alleged sponsorship of terrorism in Pakistan.
The journalist asked when the Indian government would stop sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan. Jaishankar responded: “A terrorist country is asking me that question. Come on.”
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
Issue/Event: Jaishankar responds to a Pakistani journalist’s terrorism-related question.
Location: United Nations Headquarters, New York.
Authority/Organisation: Ministry of External Affairs / Government of India.
Action Taken: Jaishankar directly rejected the premise of the question with a sharp verbal response.
Impact: The exchange drew attention during the ongoing 81st UN General Assembly.
The exchange took place after Jaishankar and Liberia’s Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti addressed the press on the Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers.
India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Harish Parvathaneni, also responded to the journalist after Jaishankar’s remark, saying that the response had been given clearly.
The interaction came amid heightened diplomatic activity during the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, where India has continued to raise issues including terrorism, maritime security, multilateral reform and the interests of developing countries.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
The exchange reflects the continuing sensitivity of terrorism-related allegations between India and Pakistan at international forums. It also comes during a wider period of diplomatic activity at the UN, where India is addressing maritime security, UN reform and other international issues alongside bilateral and regional concerns.
Jaishankar is also scheduled to address the UN General Assembly’s high-level session on September 26.
