Jaishankar urges UN to confront reality as he cites Modi's warning on penalising distant nations

Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the United Nations General Assembly, invoking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent remark that countries not directly involved in wars are facing punitive measures. He argued that the current international framework unfairly penalises nations that are geographically distant from active conflicts.

Jaishankar called on member states to "face up to the true state of affairs" and to reassess policies that impose sanctions or restrictions on such nations. He highlighted the need for a balanced approach that distinguishes between aggressor states and those merely affected by global economic pressures.

The minister’s remarks came amid ongoing debates at the UN over sanctions regimes and the broader impact of geopolitical tensions on developing economies. He urged the assembly to adopt measures that reflect the realities on the ground rather than blanket punitive actions.