External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar criticised Pakistan during his address to the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, saying that a “serial practitioner of terrorism” had misrepresented facts and that arguments were being made to normalise terrorism. 

Jaishankar’s remarks came a day after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed the UN General Assembly and spoke about the 2025 military confrontation between India and Pakistan.

Jaishankar’s message to Pakistan

Referring to Pakistan without naming it directly in that remark, Jaishankar said a “serial practitioner of terrorism” had misrepresented facts before the UN General Assembly.

He said arguments were being made to normalise terrorism and claim immunity from its consequences, adding that such an approach would not stand. 

Jaishankar reiterated India’s position that the country would exercise its right to defend itself against terrorism.

He also said that friendship and goodwill could not coexist with terrorism and that understandings based on such circumstances would naturally be called into question. 

“It is for the perpetrator of terrorism to mend its ways,” Jaishankar said.

India stresses zero tolerance on terrorism

Jaishankar described terrorism as a persistent threat to peace and called for governments involved in cross-border terrorism to be held accountable.

He also stressed that there should be no dilution in India’s zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism and particularly called for greater attention to its financial aspects.

His remarks came a day after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif referred to the 2025 India-Pakistan military confrontation during his UN General Assembly address. 

Jaishankar backs two-state solution for Palestine

During his UN address, Jaishankar also spoke about the situation in West Asia and said India was prepared to contribute to efforts addressing food and energy security amid continuing tensions and violence.

On the Palestine issue, he reiterated India’s longstanding support for a two-state solution.

Jaishankar said India was also contributing humanitarian assistance and relief efforts for the Palestinian people.

He also warned about continuing threats and pressures around the world and stressed the need for greater stability, security and predictability.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar held a meeting with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi amid an ongoing controversy over the functioning and decision-making process of the Election Commission of India.

The meeting comes days after a report raised questions over formal objections allegedly recorded by the two Election Commissioners regarding several decisions and orders of the poll panel.

The Election Commission has maintained that differing views, observations and suggestions are part of its normal deliberative process. It has also said that all decisions taken by the full Commission over the past year were unanimous.

What is the Election Commission controversy?

The controversy followed a report that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections on at least 14 occasions over a 10-month period.

The reported objections included issues concerning changes to Form 6, the handling of additions and deletions from electoral rolls and the centralisation of electoral-roll data.

Form 6 is the statutory form used for applying for registration as a voter.

The Election Commission, however, has disputed the suggestion that the objections amounted to dissent over final decisions. The poll body said written notes, observations, technical suggestions and internal checks and balances are standard parts of its functioning.

ECI says decisions were unanimous

The poll panel has said that all decisions taken by it during the past year were the outcome of unanimous decisions of the full Commission.

It also said that operational queries or inputs raised during the drafting stage are part of the normal administrative process and are intended to improve electoral procedures and safeguard voter rights.

The issue has gained significance because the Election Commission is conducting electoral-roll revisions, including the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), in several parts of the country.

Opposition parties have questioned the functioning of the poll panel and have cited the reported objections by the two Election Commissioners in their criticism of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Political parties seek clarification

The controversy has also prompted calls for greater clarity from political parties, including some parties that are allies of the BJP-led NDA.

LJP (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan, TDP Lok Sabha floor leader Lavu Srikrishna Devarayalu and Rashtriya Lok Morcha chief Upendra Kushwaha have sought clarification from the Election Commission regarding concerns surrounding the voter-list revision and the reported objections.

The Election Commission has continued to maintain that its decisions have followed the applicable laws, rules and established procedures.

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s remarks comparing the Gandhi Parivar and Sangh Parivar have triggered a political exchange, with the BJP hitting back at the Congress leader.

Speaking in Kerala on Friday, Mr Reddy described the contest over India’s future as a fight between the two “parivars”. He said the Gandhi family had made sacrifices for the country while accusing the Sangh Parivar of attempting to divide India on the basis of religion, caste, region and language.

What Revanth Reddy said

Mr Reddy cited Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi while speaking about what he described as sacrifices made by the Gandhi family.

He also referred to Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, saying they had given up positions, power and high office.

The Telangana Chief Minister said he had no remaining personal political ambitions and described his objective as working towards a Congress-led government at the Centre with Rahul Gandhi as Prime Minister.

Mr Reddy also appealed to people to stand with the Gandhi Parivar and oppose the Sangh Parivar. He described the latter as a threat to India’s democracy.

BJP hits back

The BJP responded to Mr Reddy’s remarks on Saturday.

BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said the Telangana Chief Minister’s comments amounted to an admission that Congress’s objective was to bring the Gandhi family back to power.

He also linked Mr Reddy’s remarks to the ongoing political debate around “vote chori”, the Election Commission, the Constitution and democracy, arguing that the Congress’s focus was instead on the Gandhi family.

The exchange adds to the political confrontation between the BJP and Congress, with Mr Reddy presenting the Gandhi Parivar and Sangh Parivar as opposing forces in India’s political future, while the BJP has interpreted his remarks as evidence of Congress’s focus on the Gandhi family.