External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, while speaking at joint briefing on sidelines of UNGA along with Liberia’s Sara Beysolow Nyanti on Friday, refuted Pakistan's reporter when he attempted to heckle the Union Minister by accusing India of fuelling terrorism in the neighbouring country.

"A terrorist country is asking me that question," said Jaishankar in response to a Pakistani reporter on a terrorism question.

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'No Longer Exceptional Occurrence ': Jaishankar Flags Attacks On Seafarers In West Asia

Before the presser, Jaishankar, while speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping & Seafarers on the sidelines of UNGA, raised concerns over the safety of seafarers, saying attacks on ships, regrettably, are no longer exceptional occurrences.

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"India, as a major source of seafarers, and Liberia, as the largest shipping registry, have come together to highlight the safety and security of shipping and seafarers. Just two days ago, an Antigua and Barbuda-flagged bulk carrier MV Cape Dove was attacked in the Gulf of Oman, and an Indian sailor lost his life. 10 days before that, a Panama-flagged oil tanker Alpha was struck while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, and an Indian crew member went missing after that incident. These, regrettably, are no longer exceptional occurrences," he asserted.

Jaishankar Pushes UN Reform

Earlier on Thursday, Jaishankar asserted that frustrations are mounting among the international community over the lack of UN reforms. Those opposing them are "using" the world organisation and "don't care" about it, he added. He said that while the issue of reforming the UN has been a regular theme every year as nations gather in New York for the annual General Assembly sessions, but "I feel it's getting stronger." Jaishankar was speaking at a Ministerial session titled "Ruptures & Ramparts: Building Bridges for a Changing World" organised on the margins of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly by the Observer Research Foundation, Reliance Foundation, UN in India and the Permanent Mission of India to the UN.

"The frustrations are mounting because at the end of the day, if we are serious about reform, we need some text-based negotiation because you can't have a negotiation without a text. Then it's not a negotiation. Then it's just gaining time," Jaishankar pointed out.

 (With Agencies Inputs)

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