Jaishankar hits back at Pakistani journalist’s terrorism question at UN
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar responded sharply when a Pakistani journalist questioned him about allegations that India sponsors terrorism in Pakistan.
The exchange took place at the United Nations headquarters after Jaishankar and Liberian Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti addressed reporters about a newly launched maritime initiative focused on the safety of shipping and seafarers.
After the briefing, the journalist asked Jaishankar when the Indian government would stop what he described as sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan.
Jaishankar replied by challenging the premise of the question and referring to Pakistan as a “terrorist country”. India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, P Harish, subsequently told the journalist that he had received the minister’s response.
The incident followed a similar exchange involving Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif a day earlier, when an Indian journalist questioned him about allegations that Pakistan harbours terrorists.
Jaishankar was in New York for the UN General Assembly. India and Liberia used the occasion to announce a new Group of Friends focused on the safety and security of commercial shipping and seafarers amid concerns over attacks and other risks facing maritime traffic.
The verbal exchange between Jaishankar and the Pakistani journalist was separate from the main maritime discussions at the briefing.