Indian diplomat Rentala Srinivas slams Pakistan at UNGA 2025, cites global terror links
New York: Indian diplomat Rentala Srinivas launched a scathing attack on Pakistan during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Saturday, accusing the country of long-standing cross-border terrorism.
“Pakistan's reputation speaks for itself. Its fingerprints are so visible in terrorism across so many geographies. It is a menace not only to its neighbours, but to the entire world,” Srinivas said while responding to Pakistan’s remarks against India.
His statement followed External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s address, in which he labelled Pakistan the “epicentre of global terrorism.” Jaishankar cited the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 26 people, calling for united international action to cut terror financing, sanction terrorists, and hold states accountable for sponsoring violence.
Jaishankar also reminded delegates of the UN Charter’s principles: “The UN Charter calls on us not just to prevent war, but to build peace. Not just to defend rights, but to uphold the dignity of every human being.” He underlined that India has battled cross-border terrorism since independence and warned that terrorism thrives on “bigotry, violence, intolerance, and fear.”
Responding to Pakistan’s intervention, Srinivas remarked that no “arguments or untruths” could whitewash terrorism. “It is telling that a neighbour who was not named chose to nevertheless respond and admit their long-standing practice of cross-border terrorism,” he said.
The exchange came after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s UNGA address, in which he criticised India’s Kashmir policies and accused New Delhi of violating the Indus Waters Treaty. India rejected those allegations, accusing Pakistan of glorifying terrorism and resorting to “absurd theatrics” at the UN.
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Heatwave scorches Odisha, Jharsuguda reels under 43.6 degrees C
Bhubaneswar (PTI): Heatwave conditions scorched Odisha on Tuesday, with the IMD forecasting that hot and humid conditions would continue in parts of the state.
The IMD’s Bhubaneswar centre said Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam and Gajapati districts were likely to experience hot and humid conditions on April 22.
It also predicted thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty surface winds in parts of Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada and Koraput, among others.
On Tuesday, 18 places across Odisha recorded maximum temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius or above. The industrial town of Jharsuguda was the hottest in the state at 43.6 degrees Celsius.
Sambalpur and Titlagarh recorded 42.5 degrees Celsius each, followed by Hirakud at 42.4 degrees, Bolangir at 42.2 degrees and Angul at 42.1 degrees.
The twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack recorded 37.9 degrees Celsius and 38.8 degrees Celsius, respectively, with relative humidity levels remaining above 70 per cent.
Meanwhile, the state government directed all district education officers to conduct a Summer Learning Programme for students till class 8 in government schools during the summer vacation.
Officials said students would be given practice assignments along with audio-visual learning content.
Subject-wise assignment sheets have been prepared, while related digital material will be shared through school parents' WhatsApp groups using a chatbot system, they said.
