India accused Pakistan of losing control over terrorist networks it had allegedly supported and said those groups were now posing a threat within Pakistan itself, during a sharp exchange at the United Nations on Wednesday. Speaking at the UN General Assembly's Sixth Committee, India's First Secretary Raghoo Puri said Islamabad had attempted to portray itself simultaneously as a victim of terrorism and a frontline state in the fight against it. Puri was responding to remarks by Pakistan's Deputy Permanent Representative Usman Jadoon and called for stronger international action against states accused of supporting terrorism.

Puri used the metaphor of a "Frankenstein's monster" to describe what India alleged was Pakistan's long-standing relationship with militant groups. "Pakistan has presented itself as a frontline state in combating terrorism and as a victim," Puri said, arguing that the groups Pakistan had allegedly created and subsequently lost control of had moved from carrying out attacks in neighbouring countries to causing violence inside Pakistan. He said recent comments by Pakistani political leaders demonstrated that the threat posed by extremist violence within the country was increasingly being acknowledged domestically.

The Indian diplomat referred to recent remarks by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, who has said that her province faces a greater threat from neighbouring Pakistani provinces than from neighbouring countries. Puri also pointed to a 2018 interview given by her father and former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, in which Sharif questioned whether militant organisations operating from Pakistan should be allowed to cross the border and carry out attacks in India. Puri argued that these remarks contradicted Pakistan's presentation of itself as a country primarily confronting terrorism rather than one that has faced accusations over its relationship with militant organisations.

Also Read: PM Modi Condoles Death of Rupi Soren, Mother of Hemant Soren

Puri also challenged Pakistan's position on Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar, who is designated as a terrorist by the United Nations. Pakistan had recently increased the reward for information leading to Azhar's arrest, and Puri questioned the credibility of Islamabad's efforts by pointing to Azhar's ability to communicate publicly. "When the media can reach Masood Azhar and get confirmation from him about the success of Operation Sindoor, surely the Pakistani state knows his whereabouts," he said. Puri also recalled earlier statements by Pakistani representatives describing Jaish-e-Mohammed as a defunct organisation and said India remained sceptical that the group's activities had ended.

The Indian delegation also invoked major past terrorist attacks while making its case for stronger international action against terrorism. Puri referred to the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States and the subsequent discovery of al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan. He also cited the November 2008 Mumbai attacks, which killed 166 people, and the Pahalgam terror attack. Puri argued that when terrorist organisations are allowed to operate with political protection or perpetrators are provided safe havens, international efforts to combat terrorism and deliver justice are undermined. India also raised Pakistan's alleged record on terror financing ahead of the next Financial Action Task Force plenary meeting scheduled in Paris from October 26 to 30.

Puri concluded his response by warning against what he described as Pakistan's competing narratives on terrorism and security. "You cannot run with the hares and hunt with the hounds," he said, adding that "reality never works like that". His remarks came as India and Pakistan again exchanged accusations at an international forum, with New Delhi seeking to highlight what it considers contradictions in Islamabad's approach to militant groups and counterterrorism. The Indian statement formed part of a broader diplomatic push for greater scrutiny of state support and safe havens for terrorist organisations, while Pakistan has continued to reject India's allegations and challenge New Delhi's positions on regional security.

Also Read: UPI MDR Confusion Over Loan Repayments, Broking Payments Fuels Calls For Delay