Jaishankar calls Pakistan ‘serial practitioner of terrorism’ after Sharif’s UNGA address

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday accused Pakistan of being a “serial practitioner of terrorism” and said Islamabad had “misrepresented facts” at the United Nations, referring to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s address at the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.

Speaking during the high-level session in New York, Jaishankar responded to Pakistan’s presentation of events and its allegations against India, reiterating New Delhi’s position on cross-border terrorism.

Jaishankar rejects Pakistan’s version at UNGA

Jaishankar’s remarks came a day after Sharif addressed the UN General Assembly and made several references to India, including the Kashmir dispute and the Indus Waters Treaty. Sharif said any attempt to stop, impede or divert Pakistan’s share of the Indus waters would be treated as an “act of war”. He also repeated Pakistan’s position on Kashmir and described the 2025 military confrontation between India and Pakistan from Islamabad’s perspective.

India has maintained that its decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance followed the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack and has rejected Pakistan’s characterisation of the events.

Minister's sharp exchange with Pakistani journalist

Jaishankar’s comments at the UNGA came amid a broader series of exchanges with Pakistan during his visit to New York.

On Friday, a Pakistani journalist interrupted a press briefing attended by Jaishankar and Liberian Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti and asked when the Indian government would “stop sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan”. Jaishankar responded, “A terrorist country is asking me that question.” The briefing had been announced as a remarks-only event, according to reports.

The exchange took place on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly during a briefing on the Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers.

India has repeatedly accused Pakistan of allowing terrorist groups to operate from its territory and has called for credible and verifiable action against cross-border terrorism.

Pakistan hits back at India

Pakistan also responded to India’s remarks during the UNGA general debate. In a statement on Saturday, Pakistani diplomat Saima Saleem accused India of turning “propaganda into statecraft” and alleged that New Delhi had “exported terrorism as an instrument of policy”. Pakistan also accused India of pursuing regional hegemony and raised issues including Kashmir and what it described as Islamophobia.

The exchanges came as both countries presented sharply contrasting accounts of terrorism, Kashmir and their broader bilateral relationship before the UN General Assembly.

Jaishankar is in New York as part of the Indian delegation for the UN General Assembly’s high-level week, where India has also highlighted issues concerning counter-terrorism and global security. India and Liberia have separately formed a Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers amid concerns over attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf.