UNGA Speech: Jaishankar Highlights Terrorism, Calls for UN Reform and Global Peace

At the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, EAM S Jaishankar discussed India’s experience with terrorism and its implications for global security. He began his speech by invoking the UN’s core missions of preventing conflict and defending human rights. Jaishankar then traced the UN’s growth and how it has adapted to a changing world with evolving priorities. He underscored India’s struggle against terrorism, particularly from a neighboring nation, as a key challenge since its independence. He stated that numerous international terrorist attacks have been linked to this specific country, with its nationals frequently designated as terrorists by the UN. Jaishankar cited the recent killings of tourists in Pahalgam as a stark example of cross-border terrorism and India’s response to it. Jaishankar underscored the need for global cooperation to counter terrorism, advocating for strong condemnation of state-sponsored terrorism and the disruption of terrorist financing. He called for changes to the UN Security Council, including expanding its membership, and stated India’s commitment to taking on more responsibilities. Jaishankar also discussed India’s humanitarian assistance, its work in safe commerce and its promotion of peace through initiatives related to conflicts like those in Ukraine and Gaza. He concluded by reaffirming India’s dedication to sharing its development expertise, especially in areas related to Artificial Intelligence.