TOTAL EMBARRASSMENT AT UN HEADQUARTERS: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar brutally shuts down a Pakistani reporter who attempted to heckle him over cross-border terrorism during a press briefing in New York!
India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar sharply responded to a Pakistani journalist who questioned him about terrorism during a press interaction at the United Nations headquarters in New York, saying, “A terrorist country is asking me that question. Come on.”
The exchange took place on Friday on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, where Jaishankar was appearing alongside Liberia’s Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti.
The briefing was connected to the launch of the Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers, an initiative focused on protecting commercial shipping and crews amid growing security risks affecting major maritime routes.
After the ministers concluded their prepared remarks, a Pakistani journalist intervened and asked Jaishankar: “When will your government stop sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan?”
Jaishankar responded immediately, saying, “A terrorist country is asking me that question. Come on.”
India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Harish Parvathaneni, then told the journalist: “You have heard your reply. You have heard your response, loud and clear.”
The short exchange quickly drew attention because terrorism remains one of the most contentious issues in relations between India and Pakistan.
TOTAL EMBARRASSMENT FOR PAKISTAN AT UN HEADQUARTERS: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar brutally shuts down a Pakistani reporter who attempted to heckle him over cross-border terrorism during a press briefing in New York! pic.twitter.com/EQj4SaqUXj
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Jaishankar is in New York leading the Indian delegation during the UN General Assembly’s high-level week. He is scheduled to address the General Assembly and has held a series of bilateral and multilateral meetings during his visit.
The confrontation with the Pakistani journalist was separate from the main subject of the press briefing, which focused on maritime security and the safety of seafarers.
India and Liberia announced the new Group of Friends as commercial shipping faces heightened risks in several strategically important waterways, including the Gulf, Red Sea and surrounding regions. Jaishankar has argued that attacks affecting commercial vessels and civilian crews have become an increasingly serious international concern.
The maritime initiative also has particular relevance for India because of the large number of Indian nationals working as seafarers around the world.
