Jaishankar rebuffs Pakistani reporter at UNGA: ‘A terrorist country is asking me?’

According to a report by Mint, Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar engaged in a sharp exchange with a Pakistani journalist during the ongoing United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York. The report states that when questioned by the reporter, Jaishankar responded by questioning the legitimacy of the inquiry, reportedly asking, 'A terrorist country is asking me?'

The incident occurred on the sidelines of the high-level diplomatic gathering, where leaders from around the world are currently convening to discuss pressing global issues. Jaishankar, who has maintained a firm stance on India's security concerns regarding its neighbor, is scheduled to deliver his formal address to the UNGA session on Saturday.

This exchange reflects the long-standing diplomatic friction between New Delhi and Islamabad, which has remained largely frozen in recent years. India has consistently maintained that talks with Pakistan are contingent upon the cessation of cross-border terrorism, a position that Jaishankar has reiterated on multiple international platforms. The Pakistani delegation has not yet issued a formal response to the reported remarks.

As the UNGA session continues, observers are closely watching the speeches from both Indian and Pakistani representatives for signals regarding the future of bilateral relations. The Minister's upcoming address is expected to focus on India's vision for global governance, its role in the Global South, and its ongoing commitment to international security frameworks.