United Nations, September 27, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar called for peace and de-escalation in conflicts around the world while making clear that India would exercise its right to defend itself against terrorism, as he addressed the UN General Assembly in New York.
The 81st UN General Assembly’s General Debate is being held from September 22 to 28 under the theme “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”
Jaishankar’s address covered conflicts in the Gulf and Ukraine, food and energy security, development, artificial intelligence and reforms to global institutions. He argued that peace was closely linked to stability, development and equitable access to resources.
His strongest warning came in reference to an unnamed country that he described as a “serial practitioner of terrorism”. He accused it of presenting a distorted account before the Assembly and said attempts to normalise terrorism could not be accepted.
“Our right to defend ourselves against terrorism, will be exercised,” Jaishankar said, without naming the country or specifying what action India might take.
He also warned that conflicts were imposing economic and humanitarian costs on countries far removed from the fighting. Developing nations, he said, often had the least influence over decisions that nevertheless affected their food, fuel, fertiliser and financial security.
Calling for restraint and de-escalation in the Gulf, Jaishankar said attacks on ships and seafarers in international waters were unacceptable. India, he said, wanted civilians protected and energy and commercial flows to continue.
On Ukraine, he backed ongoing peace efforts and offered Indian assistance to ease food and energy pressures. On the Middle East, he reiterated India’s support for a two-state solution and highlighted India’s humanitarian assistance to Palestinians. The UN has also called for de-escalation, restoration of navigational rights and continued humanitarian assistance amid wider regional conflicts.
Jaishankar described the challenges facing developing nations as an overlapping “4F crisis” involving food, fuel, fertiliser and finance. He also criticised what he called the “weaponization of everything”, including finance, supply chains, technology, resources and connectivity.
He presented India’s development experience and international partnerships as part of its engagement with the Global South, citing digital public infrastructure, basic service delivery and 600 major development projects across 78 countries.
On artificial intelligence, Jaishankar argued that countries should have the ability to develop AI models and determine how the technology is used according to their own priorities. He said India intended to incorporate AI into its partnerships with developing countries while remaining alert to the technology’s potential to reinforce bias.
Jaishankar concluded by calling for greater representation in global decision-making, saying the post-1945 international order was giving way to new realities.
“The post-1945 order is giving way to new realities,” he said, calling for broader consultation and more transparent decision-making so that large sections of humanity were not excluded.
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