New York: India launched a strong counterattack against Pakistan at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Saturday, with Indian diplomat Rentala Srinivas directly accusing Islamabad of decades-long cross-border terrorism.
Responding to Pakistan’s remarks against India, Srinivas declared, “Pakistan’s reputation speaks for itself. Its fingerprints are so visible in terrorism across so many geographies. It is a menace not only to its neighbours, but to the entire world.”
His statement came shortly after External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar addressed the UNGA, where he labelled Pakistan as the “epicentre of global terrorism.” Citing the April Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 26 people, Jaishankar urged global action: “Nations that sponsor terror must face accountability. The international community must choke financing, sanction prominent terrorists, and condemn state-backed terror.”
Jaishankar began his speech by invoking the UN Charter: “The UN Charter calls on us not just to prevent war, but to build peace. Not just to defend rights, but to uphold the dignity of every human being.” He stressed that India has battled cross-border terrorism since independence, describing it as a global menace that thrives on “bigotry, violence, intolerance and fear.”
Srinivas further noted that Pakistan had inadvertently admitted its guilt: “It is telling that a neighbour who was not named chose to nevertheless respond and admit their long-standing practice of cross-border terrorism.”
His remarks came as Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed the UNGA, criticising India’s Kashmir policies and accusing New Delhi of violating the Indus Waters Treaty. India dismissed Sharif’s claims, calling them “absurd theatrics” and condemning Pakistan for glorifying terrorism on the global stage.
