Lashkar, Jaish still operate with impunity- Jaishankar at UNSC

Foreign Minister S Jaishankar raised India’s concerns about Pakistan-based terror groups- LeT and JeM, saying these groups continue to operate with both impunity and encouragement in Afghanistan and against India. "Whether in Afghanistan or against India, groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed continue to operate with impunity and encouragement," he said. "What is true of Covid is true of terrorism. No one is safe until all of us are safe... (But) some countries undermine our collective resolve," Jaishankar said.

Jaishankar made the remarks while chairing a UN Security Council briefing on the theme, “Threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts”, India holds the rotating presidency of the UN’s top body for August. "When we see state hospitality being extended to those with blood of innocents on their hands, we must call out the doublespeak," he added. Turning to terrorist threats in India’s immediate neighbourhood, Jaishankar said the Islamic State-Khorasan has “become more energetic and is constantly seeking to expand its footprint”. In a tacit reference to Pakistan, Jaishankar said the world community “must never countenance sanctuaries for terrorists or overlook their raising of resources”.

Jaishankar told UNSC that countries should not place "blocks and holds" on requests to designate terrorists without any valid reasons. The radicalisation of vulnerable youth by systematic online propaganda campaigns remains a serious concern, Jaishankar said, referring to terror recruitment. He added, "ISIS' financial resource mobilisation has become more robust. Rewards for killings are now even being paid in Bitcoins."