‘A Terrorist Country Is Asking Me That?’ Jaishankar’s Sharp Reply To Pakistani Journalist At UN
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday delivered a sharp response to a Pakistani journalist at the United Nations after being questioned about allegations that India sponsors terrorism in Pakistan.
The exchange took place at the UN headquarters in New York, where Jaishankar and Liberia’s Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti addressed the press following their remarks on the Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers.
As the press interaction ended, a Pakistani journalist stood up and asked Jaishankar: “When will your government stop sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan?”
Jaishankar immediately rejected the premise of the question, responding: “A terrorist country is asking me that question. Come on.”
India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Harish Parvathaneni, then intervened, telling the journalist: “You have heard your reply. You have heard your response, loud and clear.”
The pointed exchange came amid a wider diplomatic confrontation between India and Pakistan at the UN General Assembly.
Just a day earlier, an Indian journalist had confronted Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as he entered the UN building, asking him: “When will you stop harbouring terrorists?”
The two exchanges reflect the sharply contrasting positions India and Pakistan continue to present on terrorism on international platforms. New Delhi has repeatedly accused Pakistan of providing support and safe haven to terror groups, while Islamabad has made allegations against India.
The latest confrontation also came as both countries used the UN platform to present their respective positions before the international community, with terrorism remaining one of the most contentious issues in their bilateral relationship.