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Jaishankar’s Reply to a Pakistani Journalist: “A Terrorist Country Is Asking Me, C’mon!”
India and Pakistan exchanged sharp remarks over terrorism, Kashmir and other issues during a series of meetings and interactions linked to the UN in New York.
The 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is being held in New York from 22 to 28 September 2026, bringing together representatives from nearly 130 countries. The event has also seen several exchanges between India and Pakistan.
On 23 September, Indian diplomat Kshitij Tyagi criticised Pakistan during remarks at the UN Human Rights Council. He said Pakistan should focus on development instead of trying to take the territory of other countries or supporting terrorism. He also said that such actions would not help Pakistan repay the loans its economy depends on.
The following day, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was entering the United Nations headquarters in New York when an Indian journalist asked him, “When will you stop harbouring terrorists?” Sharif did not answer. Later, while Sharif was leaving the UN headquarters, the journalist also asked him when Pakistan would take action against Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed. Sharif again did not respond.
On 25 September, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar was in New York as part of India’s delegation to the 81st session of the UNGA. Jaishankar and Liberia’s Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti addressed the press about the Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers. The group was started by India and Liberia to raise awareness about attacks on commercial ships and the safety of seafarers.
Towards the end of the interaction, a Pakistani journalist stood up and asked Jaishankar, “When will your government stop sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan?”
Jaishankar responded, “A terrorist country is asking me that question. Come on.”
India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Harish Parvathaneni, then intervened and told the journalist, “You have heard your reply. You have heard your response, loud and clear.” Jaishankar and the other delegates subsequently left the room.
On 26 September, Indian representative Petal Gahlot criticised Pakistan at the UN, saying that Pakistan’s double standards would not benefit either the country or the world.
She said, “We heard lectures about democratic rights and human values from a country like Pakistan. Pakistan is a country of the army, by the army, and for the army. The puppets may change, but the army remains the real power behind the government.”
The exchanges came amid continuing disagreements between India and Pakistan over terrorism, Jammu and Kashmir and other issues.