Kumar Bahukhandi
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is representing India at the UNGA. (Photo- Screengrab)
Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar represented India at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. In his address, he presented India’s position on issues such as terrorism, Pakistan, global security, sustainable development, and trade. Jaishankar emphasized the need to prevent terrorist financing and reform the Security Council.
Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, representing India at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, presented India’s position on global and regional issues. He condemned Pakistan’s role in terrorism, the Pahalgam attack, the financing of terrorists, and their public glorification.
Jaishankar emphasized the need for expansion of permanent and non-permanent membership in the Security Council and for the Council to be more representative. He mentioned India’s priorities on sustainable development, climate change, trade, and food security. Referring to the Pahalgam terrorist attack, he said that terrorism operates on an industrial scale in Pakistan.
- External Affairs Minister Jaishankar said, “Both permanent and non-permanent membership of the Security Council should be expanded. A reformed Council must be truly representative. India is ready to shoulder greater responsibilities.”
- External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar launched a scathing attack on Pakistan at the UN General Assembly, saying that “terrorist bases in Pakistan are operating on an industrial scale, terrorists are publicly praised, and it is essential to stop the financing of terrorism.”
- The Foreign Minister said, “In turbulent times, it is essential to step forward in moments of crisis. India has been particularly prompt in this regard, especially in its surrounding regions. Whether it is finance, food, fertilizer, or fuel, we have responded to the urgent needs of our neighbors.”
- Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, referring to India as “Bharat” in his address, said, “While we assert our rights, we must also resolutely confront threats, and combating terrorism is a special priority.”
- Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar said, “An impartial report card will show that the United Nations is in a state of crisis. When peace is threatened by conflict, when development is hampered by a lack of resources, when terrorism leads to human rights violations, the UN remains frozen. As its ability to build consensus diminishes, so too does faith in multilateralism…”
- External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said at the UN General Assembly that India is witnessing “tariff instability and uncertain market access.” This comment comes at a time when US President Donald Trump’s tariff policies are in effect.
- External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said that “since the founding of the United Nations, the forces that have emerged in history have propelled this institution forward.” He explained that as colonialism ended, UN membership quadrupled, its scope expanded, and new priorities such as development, climate change, trade, food, and health emerged.
- Foreign Minister Jaishankar said, “…since the founding of the United Nations, forces generated by history have driven this organization forward. As colonialism ended, the world began to return to its natural diversity. The number of UN Member States quadrupled, and the organization’s role and scope expanded significantly.”
- Foreign Minister Jaishankar said that India has faced this challenge since independence. India’s neighboring country has been a hub of global terrorism. For decades, the trail of major international terrorist attacks has traced back to that country. Many of its citizens are listed on the UN’s terrorist list. The latest example is the killing of innocent tourists in Pahalgam in April this year. India exercised its right to protect its people and brought the organizers and perpetrators of these attacks to justice.
- Jaishankar said that combating terrorism is crucial because it combines racism, violence, intolerance, and fear. It is a common threat, so international cooperation must be strengthened. When a country openly declares terrorism as state policy, and when terrorists operate on a large scale and are publicly glorified, such acts must be unequivocally condemned.
- Jaishankar further stated that it is essential to stop the financing of terrorism and to sanction key terrorists. The entire terrorist network must be continuously pressured. Countries that support terror-sponsoring nations will face consequences.
- Jaishankar said, “In the era of globalization, its agenda has further evolved. Development goals have taken center stage, while climate change has emerged as a shared priority. Trade has gained greater importance, while access to food and health has become recognized as essential for global well-being.”
- External Affairs Minister Jaishankar said, “Greetings from the people of India. We are gathered here eight decades after the founding of this unique institution. The UN Charter calls on us not only to prevent war, but also to build peace. It calls on us not only to protect the rights, but also to uphold the dignity of every human being.”
- Jaishankar said the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) paint a bleak picture. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar told the UN General Assembly that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) “paint a bleak picture,” and added, “We must ask ourselves how far the UN has lived up to expectations.”
- After arriving in New York, he held several important meetings. He met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, emphasizing the India-US partnership, and also discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation with US Ambassador-designate Sergio Gor.
- During his address at the UN, Jaishankar is expected to address issues such as India-US trade talks, the new visa fee crisis, and recent India-Pakistan tensions.
- India’s support for permanent membership in the UNSC
- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also addressed the UNGA. He supported India and Brazil’s bid to become permanent members of the UN Security Council. Lavrov said both countries are “strong contenders for the expansion and reform of the Security Council.”
- The Russian Foreign Minister also said that Western countries are trying to reimpose UN sanctions on Iran, which is “illegal.” Lavrov said that Western countries are ignoring international rules and trying to reimpose sanctions that were lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal.
- Several countries will address the UNGA today
- Leaders and representatives from several countries are delivering speeches in the morning session local time on the fifth day of the General Debate of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Representatives from the Bahamas, Niger, Grenada, Burkina Faso, Saint Kitts and Nevis, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Armenia, Cambodia, Russia, Cuba, Brunei Darussalam, Germany, and Iceland will also deliver speeches.
