'Steeped in fanaticism and terrorism': India slams 'serial borrower' Pakistan at UN

Speaking at the UNSC's open debate, Permanent Representative of India to the UN in New York, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish drew a comparison between the two countries in a counter to Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar's "juvenile disinformation".

"On the one hand, there is India which is a mature democracy, a surging economy and a pluralistic and inclusive society. At the other extreme is Pakistan, steeped in fanaticism and terrorism, and a serial borrower from the IMF. As we debate promoting international peace and security, it is essential to recognise that there are some fundamental principles which need to be universally respected.

"One of them is zero tolerance for terrorism. It ill behoves a member of the Council to offer homilies while indulging in practices that are unacceptable to the international community," Harish said.

Harish slammed Pakistan for its cross-border terrorism referring to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which prompted the Indian Armed Forces to launch Operation Sindoor to bust terrorist camps in the hostile neighbour's backyard.

"There should also be a serious cost to states who violate the spirit of good neighbourliness and international relations by fomenting cross-border terrorism.

"Recently, consequent to the gruesome terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April 2025 that led to the killing of 26 innocent tourists, and based on the Council Statement of 25 April where 'members of the Security Council underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of this reprehensible act of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice', India launched Operation Sindoor targeting terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), which was focused, measured, and non-escalatory in nature.

On achieving its primary objectives, a cessation of military activities was directly concluded at the request of Pakistan..."

Operation Sindoor

Operation Sindoor was a fierce military operation launched by the Indian Air Force (IAF) on the intervening night of May 6 and 7, in response to the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 tourists who were enjoying their vacation at Baisaran Valley, which is referred to as India's Switzerland.

The operation aimed to dismantle terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

After the Pakistan Army again targeted Indian civilians and resorted to cross-border firing, the Indian Armed Forces retaliated, destroying defence systems of the hostile neighbour.

On Pakistan's appeal, India responded with a ceasefire on May 10 but Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned of fresh retaliation if Islamabad goes astray.