Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his address to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Friday, invoked a contentious comparison between the situations in Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine, asserting that both regions had been subject to decades of struggle for freedom and the right to self-determination. Sharif urged the international community to take action, emphasizing that the people of Jammu and Kashmir had "struggled for a century" under Indian rule, much like the Palestinian people under Israeli occupation. His remarks once again highlighted Pakistan's long-standing position on the Kashmir issue, with a call for the restoration of Article 370, which had granted special autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir before its abrogation by India in 2019. Sharif insisted that dialogue between the two nations must be held in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
However, the Pakistani prime minister’s comments were met with sharp rebuttals from India. Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, addressing the 79th session of the UNGA on Saturday, did not mince words in his response, taking a pointed jibe at Pakistan’s persistent support for terrorism. Jaishankar accused Pakistan of consciously choosing to be left behind in the global order due to its "karma," highlighting that while many countries find themselves in difficult circumstances beyond their control, Pakistan’s situation was a product of its own policies.
Jaishankar’s scathing critique was aimed squarely at Pakistan’s harboring of terrorist groups and its attempts to disrupt peace in the region, particularly through cross-border terrorism directed at India. He made an impactful comparison, stating that while most nations measure their GDP in terms of economic progress, Pakistan could be gauged by the "radicalization" of its population and its "exports" of terrorism. He lamented that Pakistan’s fanaticism, instilled in its polity, was not only detrimental to itself but also a destabilizing force in South Asia.Â
"Unfortunately, their misdeeds affect others as well, especially the neighborhood," Jaishankar remarked. He further warned Pakistan against expecting impunity for its actions, stressing that terrorism would never succeed as a foreign policy tool and that Pakistan's continued pursuit of such a strategy would have severe consequences. In a strong rebuke, Jaishankar labeled Pakistan as a "dysfunctional nation" coveting the land of others and called for exposing its role in promoting terrorism.Â
Jaishankar’s speech was a direct response to Shehbaz Sharif’s comparison of Kashmir to Palestine, a statement that India found particularly provocative given the context of cross-border terrorism. The Indian foreign minister dismissed what he referred to as "bizarre assertions" from Pakistan, reiterating India’s position that the only issue left to resolve between the two countries was the return of territories that Pakistan had illegally occupied. He underscored that India would not be engaging in any dialogue with Pakistan as long as the latter continued its support for terrorism.
Sharif, in his speech the previous day, had not only invoked Kashmir but also accused India of rejecting Pakistan’s proposals for a mutual strategic restraint regime. He claimed that New Delhi had issued threats to cross the Line of Control (LoC) into "Azad Kashmir," the term Pakistan uses to refer to the part of Jammu and Kashmir it controls. These allegations, however, were swiftly refuted by India, with Indian diplomat Bhavika Mangalanandan countering at the UNGA, calling Pakistan’s statements "hypocrisy at its worst."
Mangalanandan pointed out Pakistan’s long history of using cross-border terrorism as a weapon against its neighbors, noting that Pakistan’s actions had included attacks on India’s parliament, the 2008 Mumbai attacks, and numerous other violent incidents that had caused death and destruction across India. "For such a country to speak about violence anywhere is hypocrisy at its worst," she said, echoing India’s long-standing stance on Pakistan’s use of terrorism.
In addition to addressing the Kashmir issue and Pakistan’s role in terrorism, Jaishankar’s speech at the UNGA also touched upon critical global challenges, including the ongoing war in Gaza and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. He framed his remarks within the broader context of reforming multilateralism, arguing that the current global system was not equipped to handle today’s pressing issues, as it remained paralyzed by divisions, conflicts, and an inability to act decisively on terrorism and violence.
Jaishankar emphasized the need for reform within the United Nations, asserting that the organization must become more effective in addressing global challenges and ensuring that no one is left behind. He argued that countries had often extracted more from the international system than they had contributed, creating a dysfunctional global order. Reform, he stressed, was not just about foreign influences, but about making the world a better place for all nations and people.
Highlighting India’s role on the global stage, Jaishankar spoke of the country’s ambitious plans for becoming a "Viksit Bharat" or developed India. He cited examples of India’s technological achievements, such as its successful moon landing with the Chandrayaan-3 mission, the development of its own 5G technology stack, and its role in global vaccine distribution during the COVID-19 pandemic. These accomplishments, he argued, demonstrate India’s ability to drive meaningful global change and set a positive example for other nations.
Jaishankar’s remarks on India's quest for development sent a strong message that India, under its current leadership, seeks to be not just a regional power but a global player, capable of shaping the future of international diplomacy, economics, and technology. He made it clear that India’s progress toward becoming a developed nation would be closely watched by the international community and would serve as a model for others.
The exchange between India and Pakistan at the UNGA showcased the deeply entrenched hostilities between the two countries, with Kashmir remaining the central flashpoint in their ongoing rivalry. Despite efforts by the international community to mediate, the conflict shows no signs of abating, particularly as both nations continue to trade barbs over terrorism, territorial disputes, and regional security concerns. At the UNGA, these tensions were once again laid bare for the world to see.
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