Published : 26 Sep 2026, 12:09 PM
Updated : 26 Sep 2026, 12:09 PM
Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has hit back at a Pakistani journalist who accused New Delhi of sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan, asking: “A terrorist country is asking me that question. Come on.”
The exchange took place on Friday during a press interaction at the UN headquarters in New York on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, NDTV reports.
Jaishankar and Liberian Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti had been speaking about the newly launched Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers.
After their remarks, the Pakistani journalist asked Jaishankar: “When will your government stop sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan?”
Jaishankar responded: “A terrorist country is asking me that question. Come on.”
Harish Parvathaneni, India’s permanent representative to the UN, then told the journalist: “You have heard your reply. You have heard your response, loud and clear.”
The exchange comes amid longstanding tensions between India and Pakistan over cross-border terrorism, with both countries continuing to trade accusations, the report said.
Delhi has repeatedly accused Pakistan of supporting or harbouring militant groups responsible for attacks in India. It has also linked its military action in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir in May 2025 to the Apr 22, 2025 attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 people.
Pakistan has rejected India's allegations and has accused New Delhi of supporting terrorism on Pakistani territory.
India-Pakistan Exchanges at UN
The latest exchange came a day after an Indian journalist questioned Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as he entered the UN headquarters, asking when he would stop harbouring terrorists, according to Indian media reports.
The India-Pakistan tiff has also featured in proceedings at the UN Human Rights Council.
Indian diplomat Kshitij Tyagi criticised Pakistan over what he described as its focus on territorial claims and support for terrorism, while also raising allegations over the treatment of protesters in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
Tyagi said Pakistan would better serve its people by focusing on development rather than “coveting territory of others or exporting terror”.
He also referred to reports of civilian deaths, arrests and shortages of food and medicine during protests in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, saying Pakistan should face scrutiny by the council.
Pakistan has disputed allegations concerning its conduct in the territory.
