External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar delivered a firm message on terrorism and national security during India’s national statement at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 26, 2026. Without directly naming Pakistan, Jaishankar referred to a “serial practitioner of terrorism” while responding to remarks made at the Assembly the previous day.
Jaishankar said attempts to normalise terrorism or seek immunity from its consequences would not be accepted. He reaffirmed that India would exercise its right to defend itself against terrorism and stressed that friendship and goodwill cannot coexist with terrorism. He also said that governments involved in state-sponsored terrorism with a cross-border dimension must be held accountable.
The remarks came a day after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed the UN General Assembly, where he discussed Kashmir and the Indus Waters Treaty and referred to the 2025 India-Pakistan conflict. India has maintained that terrorism remains a major security concern and has rejected claims of third-party intervention in the subsequent cessation of hostilities.
Jaishankar also called for a continued zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism, including stronger action against financial networks supporting terrorist activities. He said that the international community must expose and counter the financial dimensions of terrorism and ensure accountability for governments involved in such practices.
The External Affairs Minister’s comments also came against the backdrop of India’s military response following the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Beyond terrorism, Jaishankar’s UNGA address covered India’s wider approach to global affairs, including reform of multilateral institutions, India’s role in the Global South and the potential of artificial intelligence for economic development and human empowerment. He also highlighted India’s humanitarian assistance during conflicts and natural disasters.
The UNGA remarks underline India’s continued emphasis on addressing terrorism as a security and international-governance issue, while reiterating New Delhi’s stated position that it retains the right to respond to terrorist threats.