New York, September 26: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar sharply responded to a Pakistani journalist at the United Nations headquarters on Friday after being questioned about terrorism. The exchange took place during a press interaction following remarks by Jaishankar and Liberia’s Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti on a new maritime security initiative.
After the ministers concluded their remarks, the Pakistani journalist asked Jaishankar when the Indian government would stop allegedly sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan. Jaishankar replied, “A terrorist country is asking me that question. Come on.” India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Harish Parvathaneni, then told the journalist that he had heard Jaishankar’s response clearly.
The exchange came a day after reports of another confrontation involving Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the UN. An Indian journalist had reportedly asked Sharif when Pakistan would stop harbouring terrorists as he entered the UN premises.
The Jaishankar exchange was separate from the main subject of the press briefing. India and Liberia had announced the creation of the Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers, focusing on risks facing commercial vessels and crews.
The remarks have since drawn attention online and across news platforms, with the exchange becoming one of the notable moments from India’s engagements during the UN General Assembly week.
