India accused Pakistan of continuing to shelter and promote terrorism, as External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Saturday (September 27).

In his speech, he cited the killing of tourists in Pahalgam earlier this year as an example of cross-border terrorism, declaring that India had “defended” its people and brought those responsible to justice.

Speaking at the 80th session of the UNGA, Jaishankar described terrorism as a shared threat that “synthesises bigotry, violence, intolerance and fear,” and stressed that it required “much deeper international cooperation.”

Without naming Pakistan directly, he said it had been “an epicentre of global terrorism” for decades, with the UN sanctions lists “replete with its nationals.”

“The most recent example of cross-border barbarism was the murder of innocent tourists in Pahalgam in April this year,” Jaishankar told the Assembly.

“India exercised its right to defend its people against terrorism and brought its organisers and perpetrators to justice.”

On April 22, twenty-six civilians were killed in Pahalgam when terrorists opened fire. The Resistance Front, a Lashkar-e-Toiba affiliate, initially claimed responsibility before withdrawing its claim.

The incident triggered four days of hostilities between India and Pakistan, beginning on May 7, when New Delhi targeted terror infrastructure across the border.

The sharp exchange at the UNGA followed remarks earlier in the week by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who claimed that his country had downed seven Indian aircraft in recent clashes. India’s foreign ministry dismissed the statement as “drama and lies,” calling it “delusional” and accusing Islamabad of spreading propaganda to hide its record of sponsoring terrorism.

Jaishankar urged stronger global action against terrorism, including choking off financing, imposing sanctions on militants and maintaining “relentless pressure” on what he termed the “entire terrorism eco-system.”

He warned that nations tolerating terror sponsors “will find that it comes back to bite them.”

The minister also touched on wider geopolitical challenges, saying conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza had disrupted energy supplies, food security and global trade chains.

“Nations who can engage all sides must step up in the search for solutions,” he said.

“India calls for an end to hostilities and will support any initiative that will help restore peace.”

On the global economy, he pointed to “tariff volatility and uncertain market access” as rising obstacles to trade, and warned that non-market practices, resource controls and restrictions on technology flows were undermining open systems. Connectivity, sea lane security and critical minerals, he said, had made “de-risking a growing compulsion.”

Calling the UN “in a state of crisis,” Jaishankar said its inability to respond effectively to conflicts and rights violations had eroded trust in multilateralism. He renewed India’s demand for reforms, including expanding both permanent and non-permanent Security Council membership and correcting “the historical injustice done to Africa.”

 India, he said, was ready to shoulder greater responsibilities.

Highlighting India’s track record in peacekeeping, disaster relief and humanitarian assistance, Jaishankar described the country as a “First Responder” in crises ranging from piracy to natural calamities.

He said India’s foreign policy rested on three principles — Atmanirbharta (self-reliance), Atmaraksha (self-protection) and Atmavishwas (self-confidence) — and pointed to India’s progress in technology, health and infrastructure. He also announced that India would host a global artificial intelligence summit in 2026 under the theme of “inclusion and impact.”

“The ninth decade of the UN must be one of leadership and hope,” he concluded.

“India will do its fair share, and more.”