Terrorism, global conflicts, 4F crisis, India's development story: Jaishankar at UNGA

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar used his address to the 81st United Nations General Assembly to deliver a strong message on terrorism, global conflicts and the challenges facing the Global South.

Without naming Pakistan, Jaishankar referred to a “serial practitioner of terrorism” who, he said, had misrepresented facts before the UN and attempted to normalise terrorism.

He asserted India’s right to defend itself against terror and said there could be no dilution in its zero-tolerance approach.

On global conflicts, Jaishankar called for restraint and de-escalation in the Gulf, condemned attacks on commercial shipping and seafarers, and backed efforts to end the Ukraine war.

He reiterated India’s support for a two-state solution in West Asia and highlighted India’s humanitarian assistance to Palestinians.

Jaishankar also warned against the “weaponization of everything”, outlined the Global South’s “4F crisis” and spoke about India’s development model and its role in supporting other developing nations.

Jaishankar took a direct swipe at Pakistan without naming it, saying a “serial practitioner of terrorism” had misrepresented facts before the UN General Assembly the previous day.

“Arguments were invoked to normalise terrorism and claim immunity from its consequences. That will not stand,” he said.

Jaishankar said there would be “no dilution” in India’s zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism.

He said governments involved in such practices must be held accountable and called for the financial networks supporting terrorism to be exposed and countered.

“Our right to defend ourselves against terrorism will be exercised,” he said.'ATTACKS ON COMMERCIAL SHIPS UNACCEPTABLE'

On the conflict in the Gulf, Jaishankar said targeting commercial shipping and seafarers travelling through international waterways was “simply unacceptable”.

India called on all parties to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions, protect civilians and ensure an uninterrupted flow of energy and commerce.

He also stressed the need to protect seafarers and maintain supplies of food grains and energy.'PEACE IN UKRAINE, TWO-STATE SOLUTION IN WEST ASIA'

Jaishankar said the Ukraine conflict remained a concern and reiterated India’s support for initiatives aimed at bringing peace.

“As Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated, endless war must give way now to an end to war,” he said.

On West Asia, Jaishankar said India believed a “durable and lasting peace” required a two-state solution. He also said India was contributing to humanitarian assistance and relief efforts for Palestinians.'WEAPONISATION OF EVERYTHING'

Jaishankar said the world was witnessing the “weaponization of everything”, with extreme competition undermining institutions and creating choke points.

He cited restrictions on market access, disrupted supply chains and withholding of technology, while saying finance, resources and connectivity were increasingly being used as leverage.

As a result, he said, countries were focusing more on “de-risking and diversifying”, while the overall global atmosphere was no longer one of trust and goodwill.GLOBAL SOUTH'S 4F CRISIS

Jaishankar described the predicament of the Global South as a “4F crisis” involving food, fuel, fertiliser and finance.

He linked the situation to the combined impact of a super El Nio and fertiliser shortages, which he said were creating impediments to grain movement.

He also said progress on the Sustainable Development Goals was under pressure and argued that the Global South’s right to industrialise was being undermined by non-market practices and denial of market access.INDIA SHOWCASES DEVELOPMENT MODEL

Jaishankar presented India’s development experience as something that could benefit other developing countries.

He cited improvements in health, nutrition, education, drinking water, electricity, roads and housing, as well as India’s digital public infrastructure and startup and innovation ecosystem.

He said India had undertaken 600 major development projects across 78 countries, covering infrastructure, manufacturing, agriculture, IT and capacity building.

“Even as India progresses, we are conscious of our global responsibilities,” Jaishankar said.- Ends