Jaishankar UNGA address highlights: ‘Friendship and goodwill cannot coexist with terrorism’, says EAM in UN speech
Jaishankar UNGA address: External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Saturday addressed the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Jaishankar UNGA address: External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Saturday addressed the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)....Read More
Earlier, India slammed Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s speech at the United Nations General Assembly, accusing Islamabad of terrorism, deceit and duplicity. India also warned that Pakistan’s support for cross-border terrorism would have consequences.
Jaishankar calls for peace at UNGA amid West Asia war
Jaishankar called for restraint, de-escalation and stronger measures to protect civilians amid ongoing conflicts, saying the impact of wars is often felt well beyond the countries directly involved.
He said continuing conflicts are undermining global security and development, with countries far from the battlefields also facing their consequences.
“Countries far from conflicts are being penalised for no fault of theirs. Those most impacted often have the least say. This assembly must face up to the true state of affairs,” he said.
EAM Jaishankar slams Pak at UNGA
India hit back at Pakistan at the UN General Assembly on Saturday, saying attempts by a "serial practitioner of terrorism" to normalise terrorism and avoid accountability for its consequences would not be accepted.
“Yesterday, a serial practitioner of terrorism misrepresented facts before this Assembly,” Jaishankar said while addressing the General Debate during the high-level 81st session of the UN General Assembly.
Jaishankar did not name Pakistan or directly refer to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's address to the UN on Friday. However, he said arguments had been made to "normalise terrorism, and claim immunity from its consequences."
"That will not stand," he stressed.
India slams Pakistan over Sharif's UN address
Exercising India’s right of reply, First Secretary at India’s Permanent Mission to the UN Petal Gahlot rejected Pakistan’s remarks on India and Jammu and Kashmir. She also criticised Islamabad over its record on terrorism, democratic rights and the treatment of minorities.
“At the heart of the issue is the long-standing practice of cross-border terrorism by Pakistan. We demonstrated last year that terrorists will have nowhere to run and nowhere to hide. Our right to defend ourselves against terrorism will be exercised and continued. Terrorism by Pakistan will have consequences,” Gahlot said.
"We are confident that this Assembly will recognise Pakistan and its policies for what they really are, not what its representative mendaciously projects it to be. Reiterating falsehoods year after year does not make them true. Pakistan's terrorism, deceit and duplicity will neither benefit it nor the world," Petal Gahlot told the Assembly.
- {{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
- 27 Sept 2026, 06:24:50 AM IST
Live blog ends
Updates to this blog have ended.
- 27 Sept 2026, 04:59:48 AM IST
Jaishankar UNGA address LIVE: EAM meets Canada FM Anita Anand, vows to deepen ties
Jaishankar posted on X, said he had a “productive discussion” with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand on the sidelines of UNGA81. He said India and Canada are preparing to take their bilateral relationship to a “higher level”, without sharing further details of the meeting.
- {{^htLoading}}
- 27 Sept 2026, 04:35:08 AM IST
Jaishankar UNGA address LIVE: EAM backs two-state solution, highlights aid for Palestinians
Jaishankar said tensions and violence continue in West Asia, stressing that a durable peace requires a two-state solution. He also highlighted India’s humanitarian assistance and relief efforts for the Palestinian people during his national statement at UNGA81.
- 27 Sept 2026, 03:17:32 AM IST
Jaishankar UNGA address LIVE: EAM meets Mexico’s foreign minister Roberto Velasco in New York
Jaishankar met Mexico’s Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco Álvarez on the sidelines of UNGA81 in New York.
- {{^htLoading}}
- 27 Sept 2026, 02:08:20 AM IST
Jaishankar UNGA address LIVE: EAM highlights India’s disaster relief efforts across Global South
Jaishankar highlighted India’s role as a first responder during disasters, citing relief efforts in Nepal and Venezuela. He said India has provided food, medicines, medical teams, emergency power and rescue support, while also helping countries across Africa with aid and capacity-building.
- 27 Sept 2026, 01:51:30 AM IST
Jaishankar UNGA address LIVE: EAM praises Guterres, says peace must become a global mindset
Jaishankar thanked UN Secretary-General António Guterres for his decade of service, highlighting his support for Mission LiFE. He urged countries to leave the UN General Assembly with a stronger commitment to peace, development and prosperity, invoking Mahatma Gandhi’s message that “peace is the way.”
- {{^htLoading}}
- 27 Sept 2026, 01:32:02 AM IST
Jaishankar UNGA address LIVE: EAM says AI can drive human empowerment, calls for a more inclusive world order
Jaishankar said AI will play a key role in India’s partnerships with the Global South, while stressing that countries should shape their own AI ecosystems. He also called for cultural understanding, reformed multilateralism and broader participation in global decision-making.
- 27 Sept 2026, 12:43:41 AM IST
Jaishankar UNGA address LIVE: India hits back at Pakistan, says terror claims at UN will not stand
India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar strongly criticised Pakistan during his UN General Assembly address on Saturday, saying arguments by a “serial practitioner of terrorism” to normalise terror and escape accountability will not stand.
- {{^htLoading}}
- 26 Sept 2026, 11:22:01 PM IST
Jaishankar UNGA address LIVE: ‘4F crisis’ concerns Global South, says EAM
Jaishankar UNGA address LIVE: Addressing the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, EAM Jaishankar said, “The predicament of the Global South is particularly acute. It faces a 4F crisis concerning the security of food, fuel, fertiliser, and finance.”
He added, “The Global South's right to industrialise is also undermined by non-market practices and market denial. The march of technology that was meant to instill hope has now become a source of anxiety.”
- 26 Sept 2026, 11:14:33 PM IST
Jaishankar UNGA address LIVE: Jaishankar reiterates India's right to defend itself against terrorism
Jaishankar UNGA address LIVE: During his address at the UN General Assembly on Saturday, Jaishankar said, “Our right to defend ourselves against terrorism will be exercised. Friendship and goodwill cannot coexist with terrorism, and understandings premised on that will naturally be called into question. It is for the perpetrator of terrorism to mend its ways.”
- {{^htLoading}}
- 26 Sept 2026, 11:10:20 PM IST
Jaishankar UNGA address LIVE: Jaishankar slams Pakistan, targets Shehbaz Sharif in UN speech
Jaishankar UNGA address LIVE: In his UN speech, EAM Jaishankar said, “A constant threat to peace has been the scourge or terrorism. That this could be state sponsored makes it a direct affront to the global order. Govts indulging in such practices must be held accountable.”
Attacking Sharif over his speech at UNGA on Friday, Jaishankar said, “Yesterday, a serial practitioner of terrorism misrepresented facts before this assembly, Arguments we invoked to normalise terrorism and claim immunity from its consequences. That will not stand our right to defend ourselves will be exercised. Friendship and goodwill cannot coexist with terrorism. It is for the perpetrator of terrorism to mend its ways.”
- 26 Sept 2026, 11:07:38 PM IST
Jaishankar UNGA address LIVE: EAM invokes PM Modi's quote in UN speech
Jaishankar UNGA address LIVE: During his address at UNGA, Jaishankar said, “As Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated, endless war must give way now to an end to war.”
- {{^htLoading}}
- 26 Sept 2026, 11:03:10 PM IST
Jaishankar UNGA address LIVE: ‘Countries far from conflicts are being penalised’, says Jaishankar
Jaishankar UNGA address LIVE: Addressing the 81st session of the UNGA, EAM Jaishankar said, “Countries far from conflicts are being penalised for no fault of theirs. Those most impacted often have the least say. This assembly must face up to the true state of affairs.”
He added, "This year, we are witnessing a conflict in the Gulf, one that is exacerbating an already difficult situation. We remain deeply concerned over continuing hostilities…India calls upon all parties to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions, ensure protection of civilians, and uninterrupted flow of energy and commerce..."
- 26 Sept 2026, 11:01:56 PM IST
Jaishankar UNGA address LIVE: Targeting of commercial shipping, seafarers unacceptable, says EAM
Jaishankar UNGA address LIVE: External affairs minister S Jaishankar said, “Targeting of commercial shipping and seafarers transiting international waterways is unacceptable.”
- {{^htLoading}}
- 26 Sept 2026, 11:00:19 PM IST
Jaishankar UNGA address LIVE: EAM backs for peace amid global conflicts
Jaishankar UNGA address LIVE: “Members committed to develop friendly relations and to strengthen universal peace. Yet, even as we meet, conflicts and confrontations remain our primary preoccupation. The inability to maintain peace is not just undermining security but threatening progress and retarding development. In a globalized world, the effects of war are felt worldwide,” EAM Jaishankar said during his address at UNGA.
- 26 Sept 2026, 10:54:09 PM IST
Jaishankar UNGA address LIVE: EAM's address begins
Jaishankar UNGA address LIVE: External affairs minister S Jaishankar is currently addressing the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
- {{^htLoading}}
- 26 Sept 2026, 10:42:08 PM IST
UN General Assembly LIVE: Jaishankar expected to speak shortly
UN General Assembly LIVE: External affairs minister S Jaishankar is expected to address the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) shortly. As per the schedule, his address is preceded by that of the Nicaraguan foreign minister.
- 26 Sept 2026, 10:32:31 PM IST
UN General Assembly LIVE: Saudi backs mediation efforts by Pakistan, Qatar in US-Iran war
UN General Assembly LIVE: In his address to the UNGA, Saudi foreign minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said the kingdom supports efforts to de-escalate tensions, particularly those led by Qatar and Pakistan, to help restore stability.
- {{^htLoading}}
- 26 Sept 2026, 10:27:17 PM IST
UN General Assembly LIVE: Saudi condemns Israel’s actions across Palestine
UN General Assembly LIVE: Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud condemned Israel’s actions across Palestine, saying the expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank is a serious violation of international and humanitarian law.
Addressing the UN General Assembly, he said Saudi Arabia rejects any attempts to forcibly displace Palestinians or alter the status quo in the Palestinian territories.
The minister also reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s support for a two-state solution, saying its implementation is the only way to achieve a just and lasting peace.
- 26 Sept 2026, 10:15:30 PM IST
UN General Assembly LIVE: China pushes back against US on Iran in UN speech
UN General Assembly LIVE: China pushed back against US policies during its speech at the UN General Assembly on Saturday, calling for the sovereignty of Gulf countries to be respected and asking the "relevant country" to stop its pressure on Cuba and end its blockade of the island.
China's vice president Han Zheng did not name the US directly in his remarks. Washington has been putting pressure on Cuba, with its measures largely preventing oil supplies from reaching the island.
"Major countries should have special responsibilities for safeguarding international peace and security, and they should take the lead in complying with the rules, upholding rule of law, and doing what's right," Han said.
"China holds that the sovereignty and security of countries in the Middle East, including the Gulf, should be respected."
- {{^htLoading}}
- 26 Sept 2026, 10:01:44 PM IST
UN General Assembly LIVE: Russia ready to help on Strait of Hormuz, says Lavrov in UN speech
UN General Assembly LIVE: Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said at the UN that Moscow is ready to help stabilise the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and the wider Gulf region, as the US-Iran conflict drags on.
"We need trust in the relationships between the Gulf states, the Arab states, and Iran. We need stable regional architecture," Lavrov told leaders at the UN General Assembly.
"Russia, together with other responsible states, stands ready to constructively contribute to stabilizing this strategically important region."
- 26 Sept 2026, 09:56:18 PM IST
UN General Assembly LIVE: Europe 'doing everything' to thwart Ukraine talks, says Lavrov
UN General Assembly LIVE: Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov on Saturday accused European countries of "doing everything" to block efforts aimed at ending the conflict between Moscow and Kyiv.
"Europe is doing everything it can to thwart peace talks in which the (Donald) Trump administration is interested," he said, referring to the US government.
- {{^htLoading}}
- 26 Sept 2026, 09:42:43 PM IST
UN General Assembly LIVE: Russia backs India for permanent UN Security Council seat
UN General Assembly LIVE: During his UN address, Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov backed India’s candidacy for permanent membership of the UN Security Council.
- 26 Sept 2026, 08:43:37 PM IST
UN General Assembly LIVE: China uses UN speech to promote global development as solution to world's challenges
UN General Assembly LIVE: China’s vice president Han Zheng reiterated Beijing’s familiar positions on global issues, calling for greater focus on development while making measured comments on the US war with Iran, artificial intelligence and protectionism.
“China has created two miracles at home, namely fast economic roles and long-term social stability,” Han said.
Han’s strongest comments came while addressing protectionism. China and the United States have been locked in a tariff dispute for more than a year.
However, tensions have eased somewhat as the Trump administration delayed some measures, legal challenges continued and US President Donald Trump appeared to take a softer approach towards Chinese President Xi Jinping.
“Both history and reality prove that countries can hardly achieve development without an open and cooperative international environment," Han said. "Protectionism produces no winners.”
- {{^htLoading}}
- 26 Sept 2026, 08:24:07 PM IST
UN General Assembly LIVE: Russian, German foreign ministers hold meeting
UN General Assembly LIVE: Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov is meeting his German counterpart Johann Wadephul on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Saturday.
Zakharova said the meeting was requested by the German side.
- 26 Sept 2026, 07:37:17 PM IST
UN General Assembly LIVE: Jaishankar meets Iranian, Russian foreign ministers
UN General Assembly LIVE: India held talks with Russia and Iran on the sidelines of the high-level UN General Assembly session, days after US President Donald Trump signed a new law imposing sanctions on countries that purchase oil and gas from Moscow and Tehran.
EAM S Jaishankar met his Russian and Iranian counterparts, with the talks covering bilateral matters, cooperation within the BRICS grouping and the conflict in the Gulf.
Jaishankar held a meeting with Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov, during which they discussed bilateral matters and cooperation within the BRICS grouping.
- {{^htLoading}}
- 26 Sept 2026, 06:59:11 PM IST
UN General Assembly LIVE: Bangladesh became free from fascism in 2024, Rahman tells UNGA
UN General Assembly LIVE: Bangladesh was freed from fascism in 2024 and is now following a recovery, restoration and reconstruction strategy to "repair" the country after years of rule and exploitation, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said at the UN General Assembly.
"After ending more than a decade and a half of fascist rule and exploitation, Bangladesh became free from fascism in 2024," Rahman said on Thursday during his first address to the UN.
"Having been freed from the scourges of enforced disappearances, killings, abductions, corruption, plunder and money laundering that had become the norm under fascist rule, Bangladesh is now once again embarking on the path of democracy," he added.
- 26 Sept 2026, 06:28:24 PM IST
UN General Assembly LIVE: Indian diplomat's reaction to Pakistani PM's address goes viral
UN General Assembly LIVE: A video of Indian diplomat R Srinivas’ reaction to Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s address at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on Friday has gone viral on social media.
His reaction came as Sharif spoke about last year’s military confrontation between India and Pakistan and presented claims detailing Islamabad’s account of what happened.
As Sharif claimed “victory” in the conflict, saying that Pakistan’s military had “silenced the enemy" and “taught it a lesson" during the conflict, Srinivas was seen on camera appearing to smirk and shake his head. Watch the video here.
- {{^htLoading}}
- 26 Sept 2026, 05:55:24 PM IST
UN General Assembly LIVE: When and where to watch Jaishankar's UNGA address
UN General Assembly LIVE: According to the website of the UNGA, Jaishankar is scheduled to speak on Saturday (September 26) during the morning session of the General Debate.
The morning session will begin at 9.00 am New York Time (6.30 pm IST). The external affairs minister is slotted to speak on the 18th position, towards the end of the morning session.
The UNGA schedule depends on a continuous sequence of speakers. Therefore, Jaishankar's specific slot timing could shift based on the length of preceding world leaders' statements. Read more details here.
- 26 Sept 2026, 05:12:33 PM IST
UN General Assembly LIVE: Yemen tells UN that Houthi rebels' moves threaten global economy
UN General Assembly LIVE: Yemen’s internationally recognised government has once again called on world leaders to help defeat the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, warning on Thursday that their presence near one of the world’s busiest waterways poses a threat to the global economy.
The Houthis have announced a blockade of Saudi shipping while claiming that commercial vessels in the Red Sea face no other threat.
However, Abdullah Abdulkader al Alimi-Bawzer, vice president of Yemen’s internationally recognised government council, urged world leaders at the UN General Assembly not to rely on assurances from the Houthis.
“The Houthi militias' use of the safety of navigation as a tool for blackmail threatens not only Yemen. It is taking hostage the entire global economy,” he said.
- {{^htLoading}}
- 26 Sept 2026, 04:41:03 PM IST
UN General Assembly LIVE: Nepal PM proposes establishing Himalayan Climate Resilience Mechanism with India, China
UN General Assembly LIVE: Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah has called for the creation of a Himalayan Climate Resilience Mechanism led by Nepal, India and China following the recent flash floods that caused widespread destruction in the region.
In his first address to the 81st session of the UN General Assembly on Thursday, Shah said, "The Hindu Kush Himalaya is home to nearly two billion people. These mountains provide water, ecosystems, agriculture and livelihoods to populations far beyond Nepal. The Himalayas are not peripheral to the planet. They are part of the planet's life-support system," Shah said.
"That is why, as an urgent first step, we propose that we establish a Himalayan Climate Resilience Mechanism, led by Nepal, India and China," Shah said.
- 26 Sept 2026, 04:32:47 PM IST
UN General Assembly LIVE: UN only as strong as its members want it to be, spokesperson says
UN General Assembly LIVE: The role of global multilateral institutions came under discussion during the high-level week of the United Nations General Assembly, with senior US and UN officials speaking about international conflicts, the effectiveness of global institutions and the priorities of individual nations.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric spoke to ANI about the organisation's role and its ability to help maintain international peace and security.
Responding to criticism of multilateral institutions, Dujarric said, “The UN's role in peace and security, particularly through the Security Council, is only as strong as its strongest member states and as strong as all of its member states want it to be."
- {{^htLoading}}
- 26 Sept 2026, 04:27:16 PM IST
UN General Assembly LIVE: Lebanon PM stresses need to avert 'vacuum' during UN speech
UN General Assembly LIVE: Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam told the UN on Friday that steps must be taken to "avert the vacuum" that could emerge if the peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon is withdrawn without a workable replacement.
The UN Security Council, under pressure from the US, decided last month that the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which has operated in the country since 1978, will end in December.
"What we wish to stress here and today is the need to avert the vacuum that UNIFIL's withdrawal could create, were it to take place without agreement on a new international force to replace it," Salam said in his address to the UN General Assembly.
- 26 Sept 2026, 04:23:01 PM IST
UN General Assembly LIVE: Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif raises Kashmir issue at UN
UN General Assembly LIVE: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif brought up the Kashmir issue during his address to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Friday, saying the matter requires a “just and fair solution”.
Sharif said the people of Kashmir had been waiting for the United Nations to honour its commitment to holding a “free and impartial plebiscite” under its supervision.
He alleged that generations of Kashmiris had faced “illegal occupation, arbitrary detention, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearance, sexual violence, and collective punishment".
- {{^htLoading}}
- 26 Sept 2026, 04:19:07 PM IST
UN General Assembly LIVE: India slams Pakistan over Sharif's UN address
UN General Assembly LIVE: Exercising India’s right of reply, First Secretary at India’s Permanent Mission to the UN Petal Gahlot rejected Pakistan’s remarks on India and Jammu and Kashmir. She also criticised Islamabad over its record on terrorism, democratic rights and the treatment of minorities.
“At the heart of the issue is the long-standing practice of cross-border terrorism by Pakistan. We demonstrated last year that terrorists will have nowhere to run and nowhere to hide. Our right to defend ourselves against terrorism will be exercised and continued. Terrorism by Pakistan will have consequences,” Gahlot said.
"We are confident that this Assembly will recognise Pakistan and its policies for what they really are, not what its representative mendaciously projects it to be. Reiterating falsehoods year after year does not make them true. Pakistan's terrorism, deceit and duplicity will neither benefit it nor the world," Petal Gahlot told the Assembly.
- 26 Sept 2026, 04:08:18 PM IST
UN General Assembly LIVE: Jaishankar's key address at UNGA today
UN General Assembly LIVE: External affairs minister S Jaishankar is scheduled to address the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York during the “morning session”.
On Saturday, he also met representatives from Russia and Iran on the sidelines of the high-level session, days after US President Donald Trump signed a new law imposing sanctions on countries that buy oil and gas from Moscow and Tehran.
- {{^htLoading}}