Political convenience can't determine response to terrorism: Jaishankar at UNGA amid India-Canada row

Jaishankar highlighted the need for "respect for territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs" and said they cannot be exercises in cherry picking.

United Nations:Amid the ongoing India-Canada diplomatic standoff, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in his address at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) said that political convenience cannot determine response to terrorism, extremism, or violence.

Addressing the 78th United Nations General Assembly, Jaishankar highlighted the need for "respect for territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs" and said they cannot be exercises in cherry picking.

"We must never again allow an injustice like vaccine apartheid to recur. Climate Action too cannot continue to witness an evasion of historical responsibilities. The power of markets should not be utilised to steer food and energy from the needy to the wealthy. Nor must we countenance that political convenience determines responses to terrorism, extremism and violence. Similarly, respect for territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs cannot be exercises in cherry-picking. When reality departs from rhetoric, we must have the courage to call it out...," the EAM said in his address.

Jaishankar's remarks at the UN General Assembly come as India and Canada are in the middle of a massive diplomatic row over the killing of a pro-Khalistan activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada in June this year.

During his address, Jaishankar also spoke about the recent G20 Summit held in New Delhi. He said the Summit has great significance for the international community and the African Union became a permanent member of the forum at India’s initiative. Jaishankar said India began its G20 presidency by convening the Voice of the Global South Summit, recognising that growth and development must focus on the most vulnerable.