In one of the strongest and most unequivocal statements delivered on the global stage, India has branded Pakistan a “serial practitioner of terrorism.”
Addressing the United Nations General Assembly in New York shortly before midnight Indian time on September 26, 2026, External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar forcefully rejected what he described as Pakistan’s attempts to distort facts on terrorism, while reaffirming New Delhi’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding its national security.
Jaishankar was responding to remarks made by Pakistan’s Prime Minister at the UN a day earlier, accusing Islamabad of misrepresenting the realities of terrorism while seeking to deflect responsibility for its consequences.
“Yesterday, a serial practitioner of terrorism misrepresented facts before this Assembly,” Jaishankar said. “Arguments were invoked to normalise terrorism and claim immunity from its consequences. That will not stand. 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.”
Underscoring India’s uncompromising position against global terror networks, Jaishankar asserted that the international community must act decisively against state-sponsored terrorism and dismantle such networks without exception.
Without directly naming Pakistan or its Prime Minister, he made it clear that attempts to legitimise terrorism or evade accountability for supporting it would find no acceptance. He also reiterated India’s sovereign right to defend itself against terrorist threats.
“A persistent threat to peace has been the scourge of terrorism. That this could be state-sponsored, with a cross-border purpose, makes it a direct affront to the global order,” Jaishankar said.
“Governments indulging in such practices must be held accountable. There must be no dilution in our zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism. Its financial aspects, in particular, should be exposed and countered.”
The External Affairs Minister’s remarks reflected India’s firm stance that terrorism, regardless of its source or justification, remains one of the gravest challenges to international peace and security and demands a united global response.
