Jaishankar Responds to Pakistani Reporter at UN Briefing

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar responded to a Pakistani reporter’s question about alleged Indian support for terrorism in Pakistan by saying, “A terrorist country is asking me that question,” during a briefing on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 25. The exchange took place as Jaishankar and Liberia’s Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti spoke about maritime safety and security. The reporter asked when India’s government would stop sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan, according to accounts of the exchange. Jaishankar made the remark in response. India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Harish Parvathaneni, then told the reporter that he had heard the response, one account said. The supplied reports do not independently establish the allegation made in the question or Jaishankar’s characterization of Pakistan; both were positions voiced during the exchange. The briefing was connected to the inaugural meeting of the Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers, an initiative involving India and Liberia.