At UN, India’s Foreign Minister Jaishankar Hints at Pakistan as a Terrorist State in Response to Journalist’s Question
NEW YORK, USA | September 26, 2026 | The Global Journal
India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar delivered a sharp response to a Pakistani journalist’s question on terrorism on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly. When the journalist accused India of sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan and asked when the Indian government would stop, Jaishankar replied, “A terrorist country is asking me that question. Come on.”
The exchange took place at UN Headquarters in New York following a media briefing held after the inaugural meeting of the Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers. Jaishankar appeared alongside Liberia’s Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti.
Tense exchange with Pakistani journalist
Toward the end of the briefing, a Pakistani journalist asked Jaishankar, “When will your government stop sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan?” Jaishankar responded with the remark referring to a “terrorist country.”
Following the exchange, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Harish Parvathaneni, told the journalist, “You have heard your reply. You have heard your response, loud and clear.”
Jaishankar’s remark was directed at Pakistan in the context of the journalist’s question. However, it was a political response during a media interaction rather than an announcement that India had introduced any new formal state classification for Pakistan.
Jaishankar has previously responded sharply to Pakistani questions
This was not the first time Jaishankar has responded forcefully to questions from Pakistani journalists on terrorism. In an earlier media interaction, a Pakistani journalist asked how long South Asia would continue to face terrorism.
Jaishankar responded that the question of how long the situation would continue should be directed to Pakistan’s ministers, asking how long Pakistan intended to “practise terrorism.”
India and Pakistan trade accusations over terrorism
Terrorism has long remained one of the major points of dispute between India and Pakistan. India has repeatedly accused Pakistan of supporting or facilitating cross-border terrorism, while Pakistan rejects such allegations and has itself accused India of supporting militant activity inside Pakistan.
The two countries’ competing allegations have repeatedly surfaced at international forums, including the United Nations.
India-Pakistan tensions resurface at UN
The brief exchange between Jaishankar and the Pakistani journalist once again brought the long-running diplomatic dispute between India and Pakistan into the spotlight on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
While Jaishankar used strong language against Pakistan, the journalist’s question simultaneously reflected Pakistan’s allegations against India regarding terrorism. The exchange therefore highlighted the sharply contrasting positions maintained by the two countries on the issue.
The incident comes as terrorism, regional security and India-Pakistan relations remain prominent issues during the 81st UN General Assembly, where diplomatic exchanges between the two sides continue to draw international attention.
Sources: The Federal, Indian Express, Rediff, Moneycontrol and other international media reports.
