At UNGA, Jaishankar Cites Op Sindoor Attack on Pakistan as 'Right to Defend'
New Delhi: External affairs minister S. Jaishankar told the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Saturday (September 27) that India had ‘defended’ its people after the killing of tourists in Pahalgam earlier this year, citing the attack as an example of Pakistan’s cross-border terrorism as he pressed for stronger international action against states that sponsor extremists.
Speaking at the 80th session of the UNGA, Jaishankar said terrorism “synthesises bigotry, violence, intolerance and fear,” and described it as a shared threat that demanded “much deeper international cooperation.”
He accused Pakistan, without taking its name, of being “an epicentre of global terrorism” for decades, noting that UN sanctions lists were “replete with its nationals.”
“The most recent example of cross-border barbarism was the murder of innocent tourists in Pahalgam in April this year,” he said. “India exercised its right to defend its people against terrorism and brought its organisers and perpetrators to justice”.
Twenty-six civilians were killed by terrorists on April 22 in the tourist town of Pahalgam. The Resistance Front, an off-shoot of the Lashkar-e-Toiba, initially claimed responsibility and then later withdrew its claim. It triggered a four-day clash between India and Pakistan which began with New Delhi targeting terror infrastructure on May 7.
Earlier in the week, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had claimed at the UNGA that Pakistan had downed seven Indian aircraft in recent clashes. India dismissed the statement as “drama and lies,” with its foreign ministry calling the claim “delusional” and accusing Islamabad of spreading propaganda to deflect attention from its role in sponsoring terrorism.
Jaishankar called for choking terror financing, applying sanctions on prominent militants and maintaining “relentless pressure” on what he termed the “entire terrorism eco-system.” Nations that condoned sponsors of terror, he warned, “will find that it comes back to bite them”.
Turning to global conflicts, the Indian foreign minister said the wars in Ukraine and Gaza had affected even those not directly involved, disrupting energy, food and supply chains worldwide. “Nations who can engage all sides must step up in the search for solutions,” he said. “India calls for an end to hostilities and will support any initiative that will help restore peace”.
The minister also raised concerns about the global economy, pointing to “tariff volatility and uncertain market access” as fresh challenges to trade. He said non-market practices had undermined rules, while supply chains, critical minerals and technology flows were increasingly subject to control.
The shaping of connectivity and the protection of key sea lanes, he added, had become sensitive issues, making “de-risking a growing compulsion.” Each of these, he argued, underscored the case for “more international cooperation, not less.”
Jaishankar argued that the UN was “in a state of crisis,” unable to respond effectively to conflicts, development setbacks and rights violations. The deadlock, he said, had eroded belief in multilateralism. Renewing India’s call for reforms, he urged expansion of both permanent and non-permanent membership of the Security Council, including redress of “the historical injustice done to Africa.” India, he added, was ready to assume greater responsibilities.
He also highlighted India’s role in peacekeeping, humanitarian relief and development projects abroad, describing the country as a “First Responder” in crises ranging from natural disasters to piracy in the Arabian Sea.
Outlining India’s foreign policy, Jaishankar claimed it was guided by three principles, Atmanirbharta (self-reliance), Atmaraksha (self-protection) and Atmavishwas (self-confidence). He pointed to India’s role in technology, health and infrastructure and said the country would host a global summit on artificial intelligence in 2026, where “inclusion and impact” would be the guiding principles.
“The ninth decade of the UN must be one of leadership and hope,” Jaishankar said, concluding that India would “do its fair share, and more”.
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