NEW DELHI: Foreign minister S Jaishankar lashed out at Pakistan for its PM Shehbaz Sharif‘s remarks against India at the UN, saying that a dysfunctional nation coveting the lands of others must be exposed and countered.
Countering Sharif’s “bizarre assertions” in which he had spoken about an alleged Hindu supremacist agenda and claimed that the people of Kashmir had struggled for freedom like Palestinians, Jaishankar said Pakistan’s cross-border terrorism policy will never succeed and it can have no expectation of impunity.
On the contrary, the minister said, actions will certainly have consequences.
“The issue to be resolved between us is now only the vacation of illegally occupied Indian territory by Pakistan. And of course the abandonment of Pakistan’s long-standing attachment to terrorism,” said the minister, underscoring that terrorism is antithetical of everything that the world stands for and all its forms and manifestations must be resolutely opposed.
This latest run-in comes weeks before a possible and rare visit by Jaishankar to Pakistan for a meeting of the SCO heads of governments. Government sources have not so far ruled out high-level participation by India in the meeting, in keeping with its plurilateral obligations.
While addressing the UNGA, Jaishankar also said sanctioning of global terrorists by the United Nations should also not be impeded for political reasons, adding that while many countries get left behind due to circumstances beyond their control, some make conscious choices with disastrous consequences.
“A premier example is our neighbour, Pakistan. Unfortunately, their misdeeds affect others as well, especially the neighbourhood. When this polity instils such fanaticism among its people, its GDP can only be measured in terms of radicalisation and its exports in the form of terrorism,” Jaishankar said. “Today, we see the ills it sought to visit on others consume its own society. It can’t blame the world; this is only karma,” added the minister.
While delivering India’s national statement, Jaishankar also spoke about the Gaza and Ukraine conflicts saying the world cannot be fatalistic about the continuation of violence on a large scale, no more than be impervious to its broader consequences.
Whether it is the war in Ukraine or the conflict in Gaza, the international community seeks urgent solutions, he said. “Respect for international law and commitments are among the foremost in that regard. If we are to ensure global security and stability, then it is essential that those who seek to lead, set the right example. Nor can we countenance egregious violations of our basic tenets,” Jaishankar said.
The minister said that reforming multilateralism is an imperative and that the UN in its present form was ill-equipped to handle global challenges.
“Leaving no one behind means advancing peace, ensuring sustainable development and strengthening human dignity. This cannot be delivered by a UN paralyzed when faced with division, conflict, terrorism and violence. Nor can it be advanced if access to food, fuel and fertilizer is jeopardized. When capturing markets lacks restraint, it damages the livelihood and social fabric of others,” said the minister.