New York: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Saturday delivered a sharp message at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), branding Pakistan as the “epicentre of global terrorism”. He reaffirmed that India will continue to exercise its right to defend its citizens against cross-border terror, citing the April Pakistan-sponsored Pahalgam attack as the most recent example.
“India has confronted this challenge since Independence, having a neighbour that is an epicentre of global terrorism for decades now. Major international terrorist attacks are traced back to that one country, with UN lists filled with its nationals,” Jaishankar said. He added that the murder of innocent tourists in Pahalgam highlighted the persistent threat, stressing that India had ensured justice by acting against the organisers and perpetrators.
Without directly naming the United States, Jaishankar also flagged global economic risks, noting that “de-risking” has become a pressing necessity due to “tariff volatility and uncertain market access.” He said trade practices and market concentration continue to undermine global economic stability.
On Friday, India hosted a BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting on the sidelines of UNGA, where Jaishankar urged the 10-member bloc of Global South countries to stand together in defense of the multilateral trading system.
The joint BRICS statement expressed concern over rising unilateral tariff measures, cautioning against practices that could “fragment global trade and marginalize the Global South.”
The issue comes amid heightened tensions with Washington, after the US imposed 50% tariffs on India and Brazil and 30% on South Africa. Of the total tariffs, 25% on India were linked to Russian oil imports.
Despite the friction, Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, discussing bilateral and global priorities. Rubio later described India as of “critical” value to the US. Parallel trade discussions between Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer also reaffirmed commitment to continuing dialogue.