EAM Slams Pak over Terrorism, support two-state solution for Palestine at UN
By Anjali Sharma
UNITED NATIONS – External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday slammed at Pakistan over terrorism, referred to the neighbouring country as a “serial practitioner of terrorism” during his speech at the UN General Assembly high level session in New York.
He said that India was ready to contribute to efforts to address challenges related to food and energy security amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
Jaishankar accused Islamabad of “misrepresenting facts” to normalise terrorism and claim immunity from its consequences in an apparent reference to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s UNGA address.
“Yesterday, a serial practitioner of terrorism misrepresented facts before this assembly. Arguments were invoked to normalize terrorism and claim immunity from its consequences. That will not stand,” he said.
He reiterated that India will exercise its right to defend itself against terrorism, asking Pakistan to mend its ways.
“Our right to defend ourselves against terrorism will be exercised. Friendship and goodwill cannot coexist with terrorism, and understandings premised on that will naturally be called into question. It is for the perpetrator of terrorism to mend its ways,” he added.
He called terrorism a “persistent threat to peace,” Jaishankar urged the world community to hold governments indulging in cross-border terrorism accountable.
“There must be no dilution in our zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism. Its financial aspects, in particular, should be exposed and should be countered,” he said.
“India is prepared to do everything possible to ameliorate this situation, especially with regard to food and energy security. Tensions and violence also regrettably continue in West Asia or the Middle East,” he said.
He also reaffirmed New Delhi’s longstanding stance in favour of a two-state solution to the Palestine issue.
“We strongly believe that a durable and lasting peace requires a two-state solution. In the meanwhile, India is contributing to humanitarian assistance and relief efforts for the Palestinian people. Let us recognize that peace is not just the absence of war,” he said.
He warned that if the world is subjected to continuous threats and pressures, then “we are really living on the edge of an abyss.”
“All it takes is one more step to push us over,” he said.
Jaishankar highlighted the need to strengthen stability, security, and predictability.
