In a significant address at the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar delivered a pointed message to Pakistan, emphasizing the repercussions of its long-standing policy of terrorism. His remarks came during a nearly twenty-minute speech, where he directly addressed the so-called “Pakistan problem.”
Jaishankar underscored that Pakistan’s approach to cross-border terrorism is fundamentally flawed and doomed to failure. He warned Islamabad that its actions would lead to unavoidable consequences. He remarked, “Pakistan’s policy of cross-border terrorism can and will never succeed,” making it clear that the repercussions of its choices are already being felt.
The minister noted that Pakistan is grappling with its most severe economic crisis since its inception in 1947, attributing this plight to “conscious choices with disastrous consequences.” He contrasted this with other nations that may experience hardships due to uncontrollable factors. “Many countries get left behind due to circumstances beyond their control. But some make conscious choices with disastrous consequences. A prime example is our neighbor, Pakistan,” Jaishankar stated, adding that the consequences of these choices extend beyond its borders, impacting regional stability.
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Jaishankar further elaborated on the ramifications of Islamabad’s terrorist policies, stating, “When this polity instills such fanaticism among its people, its GDP can only be measured in terms of radicalization and its exports in the form of terrorism.” He pointed to the troubling effects of Pakistan’s radicalization, particularly among its youth, asserting that the very ills intended to affect others are now consuming Pakistan itself. “It can’t blame the world; this is only karma,” he remarked.
In closing, Jaishankar emphasized the need to confront a “dysfunctional nation” that harbors ambitions for others’ territories. He referred to recent assertions made by Pakistan at the UN and reiterated India’s stance on the matter. “Pakistan’s cross-border terrorism policy will never succeed. And it can have no expectation of impunity,” he asserted. He concluded by stating that the unresolved issue between the two nations is the “vacation of illegally occupied Indian territory by Pakistan” and the abandonment of its enduring ties to terrorism.
