External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday inaugurated an exhibition at the United Nations titled “The Human Cost of Terrorism,” where he strongly asserted that terrorism is among the gravest threats to humanity and must be countered with collective resolve and zero tolerance.
Addressing the gathering at the UN headquarters, Jaishankar said, “Terrorism is one of the greatest threats to humanity. It is the antithesis of everything the UN stands for—human rights, rules, norms, and peaceful inter-state conduct.” He called for unified global action against impunity for terrorists, state sponsorship of terrorism, and nuclear blackmail.
Referring to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, Jaishankar noted the strong condemnation it received from the United Nations Security Council. He highlighted India’s firm response through Operation Sindoor on May 7, which involved precision strikes by Indian Armed Forces on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Over 100 terrorists linked to groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen were reportedly neutralized.
Jaishankar stressed the importance of exposing state actors behind terrorism and said, “Any state sponsorship must be exposed and must be counted. Terrorism anywhere is a threat to peace everywhere.”
He described the exhibition as more than a memorial: “This is a fitting reminder of the challenge before us. It showcases the damage inflicted on global society and the urgency of our collective response.”
The External Affairs Minister is currently visiting the United States at the invitation of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to attend the QUAD Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The QUAD alliance—comprising India, the US, Japan, and Australia—continues to push for a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific.
US State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott recently said the summit aims to “advance a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific,” underscoring the QUAD’s shared commitment to regional peace and cooperation.
