Jaishankar Rebuts Pakistani Journalist at United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Amid Rising India-Pakistan Tensions

The exchange followed a joint media appearance with Liberia’s Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti, who together announced the new Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers.

The Indian Express

India’s remarks were framed by recent security incidents. On April 22, 2025, Pakistan-based militants attacked the tourist town of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, killing 26 civilians. New Delhi responded with Operation Sindoor, targeting facilities linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM). The United States designated the Resistance Front (TRF)—described by India as a LeT proxy—as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation on July 18, 2025.

A terrorist country is asking me? Jaishankar blasts Pakistani reporter

Attacks on commercial vessels have intensified. Jaishankar noted that “in the last few months, commercial shipping and marinas have been subjected to repeated attacks in the Gulf, the Red Sea, and its vicinity.” The maritime initiative with Liberia seeks to draw attention to these threats, emphasizing India’s role as a major source of seafarers and Liberia’s status as the world’s largest ship-registry.

The Indian Express

• Jaishankar called the maritime attacks “indefensible” and urged immediate cessation, linking them to regional instability.

CNN-News18

• Kshitij Tyagi, India’s delegate to the UN Human Rights Council, accused Pakistan of “exporting terror” and urged it to focus on development rather than “coveting territory of others.”

"Terrorist Country Asking Me? " S Jaishankar Rips Into Pak Journalist's Question

• India reiterated its demand for “credible and verifiable action” against cross-border terrorism, citing the Pahalgam attack and the TRF designation as evidence of Pakistan-based militant activity.

‘A terrorist country is asking me.. .’: EAM Jaishankar hits back at Pakistani reporter at UN briefing

• 26 civilians were killed in the Pahalgam attack.

A terrorist country is asking me? Jaishankar blasts Pakistani reporter

• On September 23, one Indian national died when the bulk carrier MV Cape Dao was attacked off Oman; 19 of the 20 crew members were rescued.

The Indian Express

• September 21 saw only two commodity vessels cross the Strait of Hormuz, far below the pre-conflict average of about 125 large commercial ships per day.

The Indian Express

• “A terrorist country is asking me that question?” — Jaishankar

"Terrorist Country Asking Me? " S Jaishankar Rips Into Pak Journalist's Question

• “India, as a major source of seafarers, and Liberia, as the largest shipping registry, have come together to highlight the safety and security of shipping and seafarers,” — Jaishankar

The Indian Express

• “Pakistan would better serve its people by focusing on development, rather than by coveting territory of others or exporting terror, because neither these, nor its theatrics in the Council, would help repay the loans its economy survives on,” — Kshitij Tyagi

"Terrorist Country Asking Me? " S Jaishankar Rips Into Pak Journalist's Question

• “In the last few months, commercial shipping and marinas have been subjected to repeated attacks in the Gulf, the Red Sea, and its vicinity,” — Jaishankar

The Indian Express

Jaishankar is scheduled to address the UNGA High-Level Session on Saturday, continuing India’s diplomatic push on terrorism and maritime security. The Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers will convene its first ministerial meeting later in the UNGA week to formulate coordinated responses to the escalating threats to commercial shipping and seafarers.

The Hindu