Jaishankar to address UN General Assembly as India highlights maritime security

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar was scheduled to address the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Saturday as India’s representative at the 81st session. Jaishankar was listed as the 18th speaker in the morning General Debate, which began at 9 a.m.

in New York, or 6.30 p.m. in India. His address was expected to cover geopolitical conflicts, cross-border terrorism and priorities of the Global South.

Before the speech, Jaishankar spoke at a session on the safety of seafarers and called for an end to attacks on commercial vessels and their crews. “There can be no justification for such violence and loss of lives. Put simply, these attacks must stop,” he said.

India, a major source of seafarers, has joined Liberia, the world’s largest shipping registry by tonnage, in bringing together countries with similar concerns and major ship-owning nations. The initiative focuses on the safety and security of shipping and seafarers. Jaishankar also said that choosing between groupings such as BRICS and the United Nations was a false choice.

During the high-level General Assembly session, India held talks with Russia and Iran on the sidelines. India’s relations with Pakistan were also expected to remain in focus, including disagreements over terrorism and the Indus Waters Treaty. On Friday, Jaishankar responded sharply when a Pakistani journalist asked when India would stop sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan.

“A terrorist country is asking me that question. Come on,” he said. The 81st General Assembly session is being held under the theme “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.” The source material did not include the contents of Jaishankar’s scheduled General Assembly address.