‘Political convenience’ can’t determine response to terror

India yesterday told the United Nations "political convenience" cannot be the basis for a response to terrorism or extremism, and called on the global community to respect the rules-based order and the UN Charter.

Addressing the UN General Assembly, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also called out nations (without naming any) that interfere with internal affairs of others.

Jaishankar's remarks - coming amid the India-Canada diplomatic row and continuing tension along the border with Pakistan - have been interpreted as a gentle jab at both countries.

"... nor must we countenance that political convenience determines responses to terrorism, extremism and violence. Similarly, respect for territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs cannot be exercises in cherry-picking. When reality departs from the rhetoric, we must have the courage to call it out... without genuine solidarity, there can never be real trust," he said.

Last week there were sharper words for Pakistan; India demanded Islamabad shut its "infrastructure of terrorism" and said matters pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh were "internal affairs".

India and Canada have been locked in a diplomatic row since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last week claimed "agents of Delhi" were involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Nijjar - wanted by India on terrorism charges - was a Canadian citizen who was shot dead outside a gurudwara in Canada's British Columbia in June. India has unequivocally denied Canada's "absurd" allegations and pointed out Trudeau's government has yet to share evidence to back its claim.

The Indian government has also flagged "politically condoned hate crimes and criminal violence" in Canada, which is home to a large and politically influential Sikh community that is expected to play a major role in the outcome of that country's next general election in 2025.

Hundreds of Sikh protesters rallied outside Indian diplomatic missions in Canada on Monday, trampling pictures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi after Ottawa said New Delhi had played a role in the killing of a prominent Sikh activist.