INDIA will exercise right to defend itself against terrorism: EAM Jaishankar tells UNGA

By R Anil Kumar

New York/Bengaluru, Sep 26, 2026. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar told the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) that India would exercise its right to defend itself against terrorism, asserting that countries sponsoring cross-border terrorism must be held accountable.

Addressing the General Debate of the UNGA on Saturday, 26 September, EAM Jaishankar said terrorism remained a persistent threat to international peace and security and called for a strict zero-tolerance approach towards it.

“There must be no dilution in our zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism,” he said, adding that the financial aspects of terrorism must particularly be exposed and countered.

Referring to remarks made at the UN General Assembly the previous day, EAM Jaishankar said, “Yesterday, a serial practitioner of terrorism, misrepresented facts before this Assembly. Arguments were invoked to normalize terrorism, and claim immunity from its consequences. That will not stand.”

“Our right to defend ourselves against terrorism, will be exercised,” he said.

EAM Jaishankar further said, “Friendship and goodwill cannot co-exist with terrorism.” He added that understandings based on such an approach would naturally be called into question and said, “It is for the perpetrator of terrorism to mend its ways.”

‘Endless War Must Give Way to an End to War’

On ongoing global conflicts, EAM Jaishankar said the international community was meeting at a time when conflicts and confrontations continued to undermine peace, security and development.

He expressed concern over the conflict in the Gulf and called for restraint, de-escalation and protection of civilians. India, he said, wanted uninterrupted flows of energy and commerce and opposed attacks on commercial shipping and seafarers using international waterways.

On the Ukraine conflict, which he noted had entered its fifth year, EAM Jaishankar cited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s position that “endless war must give way now, to an end to war.”

India, he said, supported ongoing initiatives aimed at bringing peace and was prepared to contribute to efforts addressing food and energy security.

On the continuing violence in West Asia, EAM Jaishankar said India strongly believed that a durable and lasting peace required a Two-State solution. He also highlighted India’s humanitarian assistance and relief efforts for the Palestinian people.

‘Peace Is Not Just the Absence of War’

EAM Jaishankar said peace required more than simply ending armed conflict and stressed the importance of stability, security and predictability.

“Let us recognize that peace, is not just the absence of war,” he said. “If the world is subjected to continuous threats and pressures, then we are really living on the edge of an abyss. All it takes is one more step to push us over.”

He argued that the international system was increasingly witnessing a “weaponization of everything”, including finance, market access, supply chains, technology, resources and connectivity. Such trends, he said, were encouraging countries to focus on de-risking and diversification and were weakening trust and goodwill.

Global South Faces ‘4F Crisis’

Highlighting the challenges confronting developing countries, EAM Jaishankar said the Global South was facing a “4F crisis” involving the security of food, fuel, fertilizer and finance.

He pointed to the combined impact of a “Super El Nino”, fertilizer shortages and impediments to grain movements, while also warning that progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals was under increasing pressure.

He said the Global South’s right to industrialise was being undermined by non-market practices and market denial, while rapid technological advances, including artificial intelligence, were creating new concerns.

“Misuse of AI is sharpening bias, and diluting mutual respect,” EAM Jaishankar said.

India Highlights Development Partnerships

EAM Jaishankar used his address to outline India’s development and international cooperation initiatives, saying the country’s progress had implications for one-sixth of humanity and contributed to global development outcomes.

He highlighted India’s digital public infrastructure, infrastructure expansion, ease of doing business, ease of living, startup ecosystem, innovation culture and sectoral missions.

He said India was also conscious of its responsibilities towards the Global South and had shared its experiences and capabilities with partner countries.

“600 major Indian development projects in 78 nations, testify to our commitment,” Jaishankar said, noting that India’s development partnerships cover infrastructure, manufacturing, agriculture, information technology and capacity building.

He said climate action was another important area of India’s international engagement, including clean energy and clean water projects, sustainable agriculture and sharing of technology and best practices.

The International Solar Alliance, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and Global Biofuels Alliance, he said, were making steady progress, while African nations and Small Island Developing States remained among India’s preferred partners.

India as First Responder and UN Peacekeeping Contributor

EAM Jaishankar also highlighted India’s humanitarian assistance during conflicts, epidemics and natural disasters, saying the country had provided medical supplies and other assistance to affected communities.

He cited India’s response to natural disasters, including the Nepal flash floods and Venezuela earthquake, as well as limb-fitment camps and initiatives addressing shortages of food, medicines, energy and fertilisers.

On UN peacekeeping, EAM Jaishankar said India had consistently remained at the forefront of UN peacekeeping operations.

“Right now, our contingents are present in 9 out of 11 mandates,” he said, adding that Indian troops had performed their duties firmly and professionally even under pressure.

He also noted that an Indian woman combat helicopter pilot had been awarded the UN 2025 Military Gender Advocate of the Year award.

India Raises Maritime Security Concerns

EAM Jaishankar strongly raised concerns over attacks on commercial shipping and seafarers, particularly in the Gulf and across maritime routes stretching from the Red Sea to the Black Sea.

“This is completely unacceptable,” he said, noting that Indian seafarers, as well as seafarers from other countries, had lost their lives.

India, he said, had joined Liberia and 23 other partners in an initiative to mobilise global public opinion against such targeting.

“We must ensure, that the safety and security of shipping and seafarers, is never compromised,” Jaishankar said, stressing that strict adherence to international law was an integral part of that effort.

India Advocates Greater Role for AI in Global South

On artificial intelligence, EAM Jaishankar said India had hosted the AI Impact Summit in February, bringing together leading experts in the field.

India views AI as a “transformational driver” for human empowerment, economic prosperity and solving problems at population scale, he said.

He also emphasised the right of every country to develop its own AI ecosystem, models and deployment strategies in line with its national priorities.

AI, he said, would be an important part of India’s partnership agenda with the Global South.

‘We Are Well on Our Way Towards a Multi-Polar World’

EAM Jaishankar said the international system was moving towards a multi-polar world, with the post-1945 order giving way to new realities.

“We are now well on our way, towards a multi-polar world,” he said.

EAM Jaishankar said the process of adjustment, accommodation and acceptance would not be easy, and some of the turbulence seen today was linked to these changes.

He said a pluralistic international order required “civil conversations, broad-based consultations and transparent decision-making” and argued that large sections of humanity could not be excluded from global decision-making.

“The case for reformed multilateralism only gets stronger day after day,” he said.

EAM Jaishankar Thanks UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres

EAM Jaishankar also acknowledged the contribution of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who is set to leave office after a decade of service.

“India deeply values his many contributions, in particular, his personal support for Mission LiFE,” EAM Jaishankar said.

Concluding his address, EAM Jaishankar called on UN member states to leave the General Debate with a stronger commitment to peace, development and prosperity.

He said such a commitment could not simply be imposed or negotiated but had to become a mindset and a belief.

Referring to Mahatma Gandhi’s words inscribed on the lawns outside the UN building, EAM Jaishankar said, “There is no way to peace; peace is the way.”