EAM S Jaishankar Says ‘Endless War Must Give Way Now to an End to War’ at UNGA (Video)

India on Saturday, September 26, told world leaders at the United Nations that “endless war must give way now to an end to war” as it expressed concern over continuing hostilities in the Gulf and described the conflict in Ukraine as “equally concerning”. Delivering India’s national statement at the General Debate of the high-level 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar underlined the urgent imperative for diplomatic resolution as regional fighting threatens global trade, food, and energy security.

"This year, we are witnessing a conflict in the Gulf, one that is exacerbating an already difficult situation. We remain deeply concerned over continuing hostilities," External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in his address to the General Debate. He noted that prolonged confrontations have created unprecedented economic chokepoints and systemic volatility that disproportionately impact vulnerable developing nations across the Global South. EAM S Jaishankar Hits Back at Pakistan at UNGA, Says ‘Terrorism Cannot Be Normalised’.

‘Endless War Must Give Way Now to an End to War’: S Jaishankar

Attacks on Commercial Shipping 'Simply Unacceptable': S Jaishankar

Highlighting emerging hazards across global transit corridors, Jaishankar specifically condemned the weaponisation of waterways and the targeting of merchant vessels. He called the targeting of commercial shipping and seafarers transiting international waterways "simply unacceptable".

The minister pointed out that strikes against civilian maritime transit from the Red Sea to the Gulf directly jeopardize the livelihoods and lives of international seafarers, including Indian nationals. New Delhi reiterated its call for all parties to exercise restraint, de-escalate simmering tensions, protect non-combatants, and maintain the uninterrupted flow of global commerce and energy supplies. EAM S Jaishankar Responds to Pakistani Reporter’s Terrorism Question at UNGA Briefing (Video).

Call for Diplomacy in Ukraine and West Asia

Addressing the situation in Eastern Europe, Jaishankar stated that the conflict in Ukraine, now approaching its fifth year, remains an equally grave international concern.

Recalling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s stance that "endless war must give way now to an end to war," Jaishankar reiterated India’s willingness to support all constructive initiatives aimed at negotiating an end to hostilities and safeguarding critical supply lines.

On the situation in West Asia, the minister reaffirmed India's principled position that durable and lasting peace in the region can only be achieved through a negotiated two-state solution, while confirming New Delhi’s sustained humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people.

Rebuttal to Pakistan on Terrorism

Beyond ongoing global conflicts, Jaishankar delivered a firm message on cross-border terrorism, directly rebuffing remarks made a day earlier by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Without naming Pakistan directly, the minister pointed out that a "serial practitioner of terrorism" had sought to misrepresent facts before the world body to claim immunity from consequences.

He affirmed that India will exercise its right to defend itself against cross-border attacks, asserting that "friendship and goodwill cannot co-exist with terrorism" and urging the international community to maintain a strict zero-tolerance approach toward state-sponsored terror networks.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 27, 2026 07:21 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).