New York/IBNS: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday (US local time) said terrorism is one of the "gravest threats to humanity" and "antithesis" of what the United Nations stands for.

Jaishankar made the statement while delivering his speech at the exhibition on 'The Human Cost of Terrorism' at the United Nations headquarters. 

"Terrorism is one of the gravest threats to humanity. It is the antithesis of everything that the UN stands for – human rights, rules and norms, and how nations should conduct their dealings with each other," said Jaishankar.

The minister seized the speech to target Pakistan, a hostile neighbour of India, over cross-border terrorism.

"When terrorism is supported by a State against a neighbour, when it is fuelled by the bigotry of extremism, when it drives a whole host of illegal activities, it is imperative to call it out publicly. And one way of doing so is to display the havoc that it has wreaked on global society," the External Affairs Minister said.

Speaking at the exhibition which was organised by the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, Jaishankar noted the United Nations Security Council's strong condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack where 26 tourists were killed on April 22.

In reference to the UNSC's condemnation, Jaishankar said, "What that response underlines is a larger message of zero tolerance for terrorism. The world must come together on some basic concepts: no impunity to terrorists, no treating them as proxies and no yielding to nuclear blackmail.

"Any state sponsorship must be exposed and must be countered. By now, we know well that terrorism anywhere is a threat to peace everywhere. Let that understanding guide our collective thinking and response. This exhibition is a fitting reminder of the challenge before us."

India's response to Pahalgam attack

In a retaliation against the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor hitting nine terrorist bases in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The military conflict escalated after Pakistan targeted civilians across the borders without any provocation to be aptly countered by the Indian military.

On the ceasefire, Jaishankar earlier said it was Pakistan that had reached out to India for a deal to cease the military conflicts, rubbishing Trump's claims.

"It was the Pakistani army which sent a message that they were ready to stop firing, and we responded accordingly," Jaishankar had said.