India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar used his address at the General Debate of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly to deliver a strong message on counterterrorism, multilateral reform, and the role of the Global South. 

Speaking before world leaders, on September 27, 2025, Minister Jaishankar emphasized that terrorism remains a core challenge for India, pointing directly, though without naming, at the country’s “neighbor” as the epicenter of global terrorism.

“While asserting our rights, we must also firmly face up to threats. Countering terrorism is a particular priority because it synthesizes bigotry, violence, intolerance and fear. India has confronted this challenge since independence, having a neighbor that is an epicenter of global terrorism,” Minister Jaishankar said.

He recalled that for decades, many of the world’s deadliest terrorist attacks had been traced back to the same country. United Nations’ lists of sanctioned terrorists, he noted, were filled with its nationals. The minister pointed to the killing of innocent tourists in Pahalgam in April 2025 as a recent example of “cross-border barbarism,” stressing that India exercised its right to defend its citizens and bring perpetrators to justice.

Minister Jaishankar urged deeper international cooperation, noting that terrorism is not a threat confined to borders.

“When nations openly declare terrorism as state policy, when terror hubs operate on an industrial scale, when terrorists are publicly glorified, then such actions must be unequivocally condemned,” he told Member States. “The financing of terrorism must be choked, even as prominent terrorists are sanctioned. Relentless pressure must be applied on the entire terrorism eco-system. Those who condone nations that sponsor terror will find that it comes back to bite them.”

Reflecting on the role of the UN, Jaishankar reminded Member States of their shared obligations noting, “The UN Charter calls on us not just to prevent war, but to build peace; not just to defend rights, but to uphold the dignity of every human being,” he said, adding that countries must act as “good neighbors, uniting our strength so that generations to come inherit a world of justice, of progress and of lasting freedom.”

Yet, he asked whether the UN had truly lived up to expectations. He highlighted two ongoing conflicts, in Ukraine and in the Middle East, as well as many overlooked hotspots.

“Each one of us has the opportunity of contributing to peace and prosperity. In the case of conflicts, especially Ukraine and Gaza, even those not directly involved have felt its impact,” he said. “Nations who can engage all sides must step-up in the search for solutions. India calls for an end to hostilities and will support any initiative that will help restore peace.”

Turning to development issues, Jaishankar expressed concern about the slow progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He criticized “recirculated commitments and creative accounting” on climate change and warned that questioning climate action undermines climate justice.

He recalled that during the pandemic, access to vaccines and travel was marred by “open discrimination,” while conflicts since 2022 have disrupted global energy and food security. “Better-off societies insulated themselves by having the first call. The resource-stressed ones scrambled to survive, only to hear sanctimonious lectures thereafter,” the Minister remarked.

On trade, he underscored the risks of non-market practices, tariff volatility, and market access uncertainty. He warned against over-dependence on single supply sources, saying de-risking had become an urgent necessity.

“Each makes a compelling case for more international cooperation, not less. But are we really headed in that direction? And where has the UN actually made a difference?” he asked. According to Jaishankar, the UN today is in a “state of crisis,” gridlocked in the face of conflict, resource shortages, and terrorism.

“Central to the erosion of UN’s credibility has been resistance to reform,” Minister Jaishankar said. “Most members strongly desire change; but the process is being made an obstacle to the outcome. It is imperative that we see through this cynicism and purposefully address the reform agenda.”

He urged that “the historical injustice done to Africa should be redressed,” calling for an expansion of both permanent and non-permanent seats on the Security Council. “A reformed Council must be truly representative. And India stands ready to assume greater responsibilities.”

Highlighting the predicament of the Global South, Minister Jaishankar said Bharat, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, believes it has both a “duty to contribute” and an “obligation to motivate.”

“That is why we have undertaken more than 600 major development projects in 78 countries, as well as innumerable community-based initiatives. They range from large infrastructure to small livelihoods, from capacity building to people’s welfare, from concrete assets to education and training,” he said.

He cited India’s role in providing financial, food, fertilizer, and fuel support to neighbors, as well as its humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) efforts. “Reflecting our growing capabilities, Bharat has endeavored to be a ‘First Responder.’ Be it essential medicines or relief supplies, the operations of field hospitals or limb fitment camps, these efforts covered 19 nations last year,” he noted.

Minister Jaishankar also drew attention to India’s contributions to UN Peacekeeping Operations in regions including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Golan Heights, and South Sudan.

“To put it clearly, our soldiers ensure peacekeeping, our sailors protect maritime shipping, our security counters terrorism, our doctors and teachers facilitate human development the world over, our industry produces affordable products, our techies promote digitization, and our training facilities are open to the world. These remain the core of our foreign policy,” he said.

The Minister also spoke of India’s transformation under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership over the last decade. “Our digital public infrastructure has redefined governance and enabled delivery of public services on an unprecedented scale. Our start-up eco system, innovation culture and micro-finance are changing the face of society,” he explained. “Our rapidly growing infrastructure facilitates both ease of doing business and ease of living for citizens. India remains committed to sharing its experiences and tools with others on their journey of development.”

He added that Artificial Intelligence holds particular promise for development and said India’s approach would be to harness it responsibly for human welfare. “Inclusion and impact will be the watch words for the Summit that India will host in 2026.”

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