Terrorism is the key hurdle in India-Pakistan relations: India’s UN envoy

India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Parvathaneni Harish, has described terrorism as the central issue hindering engagement with Pakistan. Speaking at an event at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), Harish emphasized that India has been a long-standing victim of cross-border terrorism and maintains zero tolerance towards it.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi made efforts to reach out and engage with Pakistan, but terrorist activities in India have eroded trust. The first condition for engagement is the cessation of terrorism,” Harish said during an interactive session after delivering the keynote address on “Responding to Key Global Challenges: The India Way.”

Harish highlighted that terrorism is not only a bilateral concern but a significant global issue, requiring international collaboration. He described it as an “existential threat” that knows no borders and stated that there can be no justification for acts of terror. India, he added, has focused on working with international partners to combat the threat.

“A single attack is one too many. Justice and accountability are crucial to ensuring that incidents like 9/11 or 26/11 never happen again. Justice delayed is justice denied,” he remarked, referencing the attacks on the World Trade Center and Mumbai.

The envoy also stressed the importance of addressing evolving threats such as cyber terrorism, terror financing, online radicalization, and state complicity in supporting terrorist activities. He outlined India’s role in reinvigorating the global counter-terrorism agenda, especially within the framework of the United Nations.

Harish also touched upon nuclear disarmament, asserting India’s commitment to universal, verifiable, and non-discriminatory disarmament. He reaffirmed India’s policy of maintaining credible minimum deterrence and adhering to a “no first use” nuclear doctrine. Harish expressed concern over the increasing risk of terrorists acquiring weapons of mass destruction and called for greater international measures to prevent such scenarios.

The event, co-sponsored by Columbia’s MPA Program in Global Leadership and the International Organisation and UN Studies program, was attended by students, faculty, and policy experts. Harish’s comments underscored India’s firm stance on terrorism and its vision for global collaboration in combating this menace.