Jaishankar UNGA address highlights: ‘Friendship and goodwill cannot coexist with terrorism’, says EAM in UN speech

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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.

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.

Jaishankar met Mexico’s Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco Álvarez on the sidelines of UNGA81 in New York.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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..."

Jaishankar UNGA address LIVE: External affairs minister S Jaishankar said, “Targeting of commercial shipping and seafarers transiting international waterways is unacceptable.”

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.

Jaishankar UNGA address LIVE: External affairs minister S Jaishankar is currently addressing the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

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.

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.

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.

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."

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."

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.

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.

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.”

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.