Jaishankar opened the UN General Assembly debate by condemning Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for what he described as an attempt to normalise terrorism, arguing that such rhetoric would not stand. He referenced Sharif’s Friday address on Kashmir and accused Pakistan of using the issue to mask state‑sponsored terror.
The minister condemned the targeting of commercial shipping and seafarers in international waterways, calling the attacks on vessels like the Antigua and Barbuda‑flagged MV Cape Dao and the Panama‑flagged oil tanker El Gaia simply unacceptable. An Indian sailor lost his life aboard the Cape Dao, and another crew member went missing after the El Gaia incident, underscoring the human cost.
India joined Liberia and 23 other partners in a global initiative to rally public opinion against such attacks, signalling a coordinated effort to expose the financial underpinnings of maritime terrorism. The partnership aims to keep shipping lanes safe and uphold international law.
Beyond maritime security, Jaishankar reiterated India’s support for a durable peace in West Asia, calling for a two‑state solution and offering humanitarian aid to Palestinians. He warned that unchecked terror and competition threaten global stability, urging world leaders to strengthen predictability and security.
Jaishankar concluded that the UN must act decisively to hold Pakistan accountable and that India will continue to push for maritime safety and peace initiatives in forthcoming sessions.