India Calls Pakistan 'Epicentre of Terrorism' at UN General Assembly
At the UN General Assembly, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar described a neighbouring country, widely understood to be Pakistan, as an "epicentre of global terrorism" where terror hubs operate on an "industrial scale." Without being named, Pakistan responded, prompting an Indian diplomat to state the reaction was an "admission of their longstanding practice of cross-border terrorism." The exchange highlighted India's firm stance on counter-terrorism and its assertion that it will defend its people against cross-border attacks.
Unpacked:
India accuses Pakistan of supporting and harboring terrorist groups that conduct cross-border attacks, particularly in Kashmir. Recent incidents, such as the Pahalgam attack in April 2025, are attributed to Pakistan-based groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, and India claims to have evidence linking these attacks to Pakistani nationals and support networks.
Pakistan consistently rejects India's allegations, calling them baseless propaganda. It claims successful counterterrorism actions, points to its removal from the FATF grey list, and accuses India of state-sponsored terrorism in Kashmir and supporting anti-Pakistan groups. Pakistan also denies state involvement in attacks India attributes to Pakistan-based groups.
The April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, killing 26 tourists, led to Indian military action against alleged terror camps and diplomatic measures like suspending the Indus Waters Treaty. Pakistan responded by withdrawing from the Simla Agreement and proposing a neutral investigation, which India rejected, viewing it as a ploy.
The Kashmir conflict dates back to 1947, fueling wars and repeated clashes. Both countries accuse each other of supporting terrorism: India blames Pakistan for backing militants in Kashmir, while Pakistan alleges Indian abuses and support for anti-Pakistan elements. This mutual distrust shapes their ongoing diplomatic and security disputes.