Jaishankar At UNGA: EAM On Cross-Border Terrorism, UNSC Reforms, India's Stance On Ukraine Conflict — Highlights
Addressing the high-level UN General Assembly session, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar asserted India's ‘zero-tolerance’ approach toward cross-border terrorism.
New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday addressed the UN General Assembly session in New York and raised the issues of terrorism, UN Security Council reforms, and diplomacy in times of conflict.
He asserted that no rhetoric, however sanctimonious, can ever cover up blood stains. In a clear signal to China and Pakistan, he said that nations who defend proclaimed terrorists in the UN neither advance their own interests nor their reputation.
India Firmly Advocates A ‘Zero-Tolerance’ Approach Towards Cross-Border Terrorism: Jaishankar
“Having borne the brunt of cross-border terrorism for decades, India firmly advocates a ‘zero-tolerance’ approach. In our view, there is no justification for any act of terrorism, regardless of motivation. And no rhetoric, however sanctimonious, can ever cover up blood stains,” S Jaishankar said addressing the high-level UN General Assembly session, as quoted by news agency PTI.
“The United Nations responds to terrorism by sanctioning its perpetrators. Those who politicise the UNSC 1267 Sanctions regime, sometimes even to the extent of defending proclaimed terrorists, do so at their own peril. Believe me, they advance neither their own interests nor indeed their reputation,” he added.
This veiled attack against Pakistan and its all-weather ally China comes as proposals by India and its allies to designate Pakistan-based terrorists under the 1267 sanctions regime of the UN Security Council were on multiple occasions blocked by China.
Bids by India, the US and other western allies to blacklist Pakistan-based terrorists under the Security Council’s sanctions regime have been blocked and put on hold on various occasions by Islamabad’s all-weather ally and veto-wielding permanent member China in the 15-nation Council.
This month, China has put a hold on a proposal moved at the United Nations by the US and co-supported by India to designate Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Sajid Mir, wanted for his involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attacks, as a global terrorist.
India On The Side That Calls For Dialogue Diplomacy As The Only Way Out: Jaishankar
As the Ukraine conflict continues to rage on, India told the UN General Assembly that it is on the side of peace and supports dialogue and diplomacy as the only way out.
"As the Ukraine conflict continues to rage, we are often asked whose side we are on. And our answer, each time, is straight and honest,” External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said.
"We are on the side that respects the UN Charter and its founding principles. We are on the side that calls for dialogue and diplomacy as the only way out,” he said.
“We are on the side of those struggling to make ends meet, even as they stare at escalating costs of food, fuel and fertilizers,” the Minister added.
UN Security Council Reforms Should Not Be Blocked By Procedural Tactics: Jaishankar
The External Affairs Minister on Saturday said that negotiations for the much-needed UN Security Council reforms should not be blocked by procedural tactics and naysayers cannot hold the process "hostage in perpetuity.”
India is currently a non-permanent member of the 15-nation UN Security Council and will complete its two-year tenure in December this year when it will preside over the Council.
"India is prepared to take up greater responsibilities. But it seeks at the same time to ensure that the injustice faced by the Global South is decisively addressed,” Jaishankar emphasised.
"In our term, we have acted as a bridge on some serious but divisive issues confronting the Council. We have also focused on concerns such as maritime security, peacekeeping and counter terrorism. Our contributions range from providing technology with a human touch to ensuring the safety and security of UN Peacekeepers,” Jaishankar told the 193-member UN General Assembly.
India To Work With G20 Members To Address Issues Of Debt, Food, And Energy Security
As India assumes the Presidency of the G20, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that New Delhi will work with the group's other members to address serious issues of debt, food and energy security.
"As we begin the G-20 presidency this December, we are sensitive to the challenges faced by developing countries," Jaishankar said in his address to the high-level UN General Assembly session.
Jaishankar also voiced concern over the global challenges being faced by the nations.
"The world is already struggling with challenges of post-pandemic economic recovery. The debt situation of the developing (countries) is precarious," he said.
"To this, is now added the rising costs and shrinking availability of fuel, food and fertilizers. These, along with trade disruptions and diversions, are among the many consequences of the Ukraine conflict,” he added, emphasising that the repercussions of the ongoing Ukraine conflict have further heightened economic stresses, especially on food and energy.
India has been strongly reiterating the need for an immediate cessation of all hostilities and a return to dialogue and diplomacy.
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