EAM Jaishankar at UNGA: Attack on Pakistan, 4F crisis and global wars push world towards ‘abyss’; top quotes

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called for restraint, de-escalation and greater protection of civilians amid ongoing conflicts, stressing that the consequences of wars are felt far beyond the borders of countries directly involved. He also criticised Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his address.

Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Jaishankar remarked that hostilities continue to destabilise global security and developmental progress, leaving countries distant from battle zones exposed to their fallout.

Read more: 'Serial practitioner of terrorism': EAM Jaishankar takes aim at Pakistan in UN address


He stressed that the international community must confront persistent threats to international peace and stability, drawing attention to the ongoing conflict in the Gulf as a compounding factor on an already fragile global landscape. Jaishankar said that the two state solution to the Middle East crisis can bring durable peace.

Read more:'A terrorist country is asking me that question, come on': Jaishankar's blunt retort to Pakistani reporter at UN briefing in New York

Check Foreign Minister Jaishankar's top quotes at UNGA here:

• India is prepared to do everything possible to ameliorate this situation, especially with regard to food and energy security. Tensions and violence also regrettably continue in West Asia or the Middle East. We strongly believe that a durable and lasting peace requires a two-state solution.
• In the meanwhile, India is contributing to humanitarian assistance and relief efforts for the Palestinian people. Let us recognize that peace is not just the absence of war. If the world is subjected to continuous threats and pressures, then we are really living on the edge of an abyss. All it takes is one more step to push us over. Therefore, it is imperative to strengthen stability, security, and predictability. These are crucial elements of the enabling environment for peace...
• A persistent threat to peace has been the scourge of terrorism. That this could be state-sponsored, with cross-border purpose, makes it a direct affront to the global order. Governments indulging in such practices must be held accountable. There must be no dilution in our zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism. Its financial aspects, in particular, should be exposed and should be countered...
• The conflict in Ukraine, now in its fifth year, is equally concerning. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated, endless war must give way now to an end to war. India supports ongoing initiatives to bring peace. Even as this is underway, there is an urgent need to address the security of seafarers and the supply of food, grains, and energy.
• After eight decades of the UN, this should have become second nature. Instead, what we are actually seeing is a weaponization of everything. A mindset of extreme competition has set in, undermining institutions and establishing choke points. It extends from the world of finance to constricting market access, disrupting supply chains, and withholding technology. Resources and connectivity have become particularly subject to leveraging. As a result, nations are now more focused on de-risking and diversifying. Now, while this may secure their interests to varying degrees, the overall atmosphere is no longer that of trust or goodwill...
• The predicament of the Global South is particularly acute. It faces a 4F crisis concerning the security of food, fuel, fertilizer, and finance—the combined impact of a super El Niño compounding fertilizer shortages and now impediments to grain movements. All these are a cause for alarm. Moreover, SDG progress is under increasing pressure. The Global South's right to industrialize 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. The misuse of AI is sharpening bias and diluting mutual respect...