India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, delivered a sharp retort to a Pakistani reporter during a press briefing held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly's High-Level Week in New York. When pressed on the issue of terrorism, Jaishankar responded directly, asserting, "A terrorist country is asking me that question."
The incident underscored the persistent diplomatic friction between India and Pakistan, primarily centered on allegations of cross-border terrorism. Jaishankar was participating in a briefing focused on the Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers, which was reportedly intended as a remarks-only interaction.
India's Firm Stance on Cross-Border Terrorism
New Delhi has consistently accused Pakistan of providing safe havens and support to terrorist groups operating from its territory. India has repeatedly urged Islamabad to take concrete and verifiable action against such activities.
India has also maintained that its military actions, such as the response following the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 civilian lives, were exercises of its inherent right to self-defense. Following this attack, India launched "Operation Sindoor," targeting what it described as terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).
International Scrutiny and Designations
The issue of terrorism linked to Pakistan has garnered international attention. The United States designated The Resistance Front (TRF), which India identifies as a proxy for the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation and Specially Designated Global Terrorist on July 18, 2025. India has also connected TRF to the Pahalgam attack, a link further referenced in a UN Security Council 1267 Sanctions Committee report.
Furthermore, Pakistan has faced enhanced monitoring by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on three occasions, most recently from June 2018 to October 2022. During these periods, Pakistan was mandated to strengthen its efforts to identify, disrupt, and prosecute terrorist financing networks. The latest exchange involving EAM Jaishankar reinforces India's consistent diplomatic approach to highlight and address the issue of terrorism on global platforms, emphasizing that it should not be normalized or politicized.