'A terrorist country is asking me that?' Jaishankar tears into Pak journalist at UN
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar hit back at a journalist who accused India of “sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan” during an exchange on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
“A terrorist country is asking me that question?” Jaishankar said in response.
The brief exchange ended soon after, with Jaishankar and other delegates leaving the room while the journalist continued speaking.
#WATCH | 81st UNGA Session | "A terrorist country is asking me that question," says EAM Dr S Jaishankar in response to a Pakistani’s attempt at heckling EAM with a terrorism ‘question’ pic.twitter.com/wIfu9OUhfO
— ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2026
Jaishankar's sharp response
The confrontation came amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan over allegations of cross-border terrorism.
India has repeatedly accused Pakistan and Pakistan-based terrorist groups of carrying out attacks on Indian soil. Islamabad has rejected such allegations.
On April 22, 2025, terrorists attacked tourists in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, killing 26 people, including a Nepali national, and injuring several others.
India subsequently launched missile strikes against what it described as terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Nine terror sites targeted
India's strikes targeted nine locations, five in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and four in mainland Pakistan.
The locations included Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Bahawalpur, Rawalakot, Chakswari, Bhimber, Neelum Valley, Jhelum and Chakwal.
India said the sites were linked to terrorist infrastructure associated with groups including Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), which have been blamed for several attacks in India.
Bahawalpur has long been associated with Jaish-e-Mohammad, while Muzaffarabad and Bhimber have previously been identified by Indian security agencies as locations linked to infiltration and logistical networks.
India targets Pakistan at UN
The latest exchange came as India continued to criticise Pakistan at international forums.
At the United Nations Human Rights Council on Wednesday, Indian diplomat Kshitij Tyagi accused Pakistan of focusing on territorial claims and terrorism instead of addressing its economic difficulties.
“Pakistan would better serve its people by focusing on development, rather than by coveting territory of others or exporting terror,” Tyagi said.
Tyagi also raised allegations concerning the situation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, referring to reports of civilian deaths during protests since June, arrests and shortages of essential supplies.
He further criticised Pakistan's response at the UN Human Rights Council, saying Islamabad had responded to earlier allegations with a point of order.
The exchanges reflect the continuing diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan, with both sides repeatedly trading accusations over terrorism, Kashmir and human rights.
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