Jaishankar's UN sparring partner had White House press clash in April
Synopsis
The Pakistani journalist who provoked EAM Jaishankar's 'a terrorist country is asking me that question' retort at the UN was reportedly embroiled in a separate conduct dispute at the White House in April — one that allegedly led to his press pass being revoked. The backstory reframes the UN confrontation not as an isolated moment but as part of a broader pattern.
Key Takeaways
Jaishankar sharply rebuked Pakistani journalist Jahanzaib Ali at the United Nations on 26 September 2026 over a question on alleged Indian terrorism.
Ali reportedly clashed with White House correspondents on 6 April over standing space ahead of a President Donald Trump press conference.
Veteran correspondent April Ryan and WHCA President Weijia Jiang reportedly intervened in the White House dispute.
Ali's White House press pass was reportedly revoked days after the April incident; he is also reportedly no longer a member of the WHCA or the National Press Club .
Ali's social media profile still lists him as a member of both organisations; his current status could not be independently verified.
The Pakistani journalist who drew a pointed rebuttal from External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar at the United Nations on 26 September 2026 had earlier been involved in a heated confrontation with fellow reporters at a White House press briefing in April, according to reports. The episode adds fresh context to the identity and conduct of Jahanzaib Ali, the journalist at the centre of both incidents.
The UN Exchange
The confrontation at the UN occurred after EAM Jaishankar and Liberian Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti addressed reporters on Friday regarding a new India-Liberia initiative focused on the safety of commercial shipping and seafarers. Ali then asked Jaishankar when India would stop sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan — an abrupt pivot from the stated topic of the briefing.
'A terrorist country is asking me that question. Come on,' Jaishankar replied. India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Harish Parvathaneni, subsequently told Ali that he had received his answer. Ali later posted video footage of the exchange on his social media account.
The White House Confrontation in April
On 6 April, Ali was reportedly involved in a separate dispute inside the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, ahead of a press conference by US President Donald Trump. Several correspondents had reportedly stood for more than two hours to secure their places, following the customary first-come, first-served approach to standing space in the crowded room.
Approximately 15 minutes before Trump was due to speak, Ali reportedly moved ahead of those correspondents without following the established protocol. When reporters nearby objected and asked him to step back, he reportedly refused, leading to an escalating argument with multiple journalists — including women correspondents present in the room.
Veteran White House correspondent April Ryan also reportedly intervened, asking him to move back. A senior member of the White House press office entered the room and reprimanded Ali while the confrontation was ongoing.
Aftermath and Reported Credential Loss
The Daily Beast reported on the incident the following day, quoting Ryan as calling out, 'Go to the back!' The outlet also reported that White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) President Weijia Jiang attempted to restore order. All of this took place before Trump entered the briefing room.
Ali's White House press pass was reportedly revoked days after the incident, according to information available to reporters present. Sources also indicate he is reportedly no longer a member of the White House Correspondents' Association or the National Press Club. However, his public social media profile still describes him as a member of both organisations. His current membership status and the precise reasons for the reported loss of his press pass could not be independently verified.
Pattern of Anti-India Questioning
Ali is known for raising adversarial questions on India-Pakistan relations at press conferences in both Washington DC and New York. Friday's UN exchange was consistent with that pattern — redirecting a bilateral India-Liberia shipping initiative briefing toward allegations against India. Notably, this is not the first time a Pakistani journalist's conduct at a high-profile international forum has drawn scrutiny beyond the news value of the question itself.
As scrutiny of Ali's press credentials continues, the broader episode underscores the intersection of diplomatic messaging, media access, and journalistic conduct on the international stage.
Point of View
That context materially changes how the exchange should be read — not just as a diplomatic flashpoint, but as a pattern. India's diplomatic communications team clearly tracked both episodes; the question is whether international media will give the backstory the same airtime as the soundbite.
NationPress
26 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did EAM Jaishankar say to Pakistani journalist Jahanzaib Ali at the UN?
Jaishankar responded to Ali's question about alleged Indian terrorism with, 'A terrorist country is asking me that question. Come on.' India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Harish Parvathaneni, then told Ali he had received his answer.
Who is Jahanzaib Ali?
Jahanzaib Ali is a Pakistani journalist known for raising adversarial questions about India-Pakistan relations at press conferences in Washington DC and New York. He reportedly had a White House press pass that was revoked in April, and sources indicate he may no longer be a member of the White House Correspondents' Association or the National Press Club, though this could not be independently verified.
What happened at the White House briefing in April?
On 6 April, Ali reportedly moved into a position ahead of correspondents who had waited over two hours for standing space in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room, ahead of a Trump press conference. He refused to step back when asked, leading to a confrontation with multiple reporters. A White House press office official reprimanded him, and his press pass was reportedly revoked days later.
What was the context of the UN briefing where the Jaishankar exchange occurred?
EAM Jaishankar and Liberian Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti were briefing reporters on a new India-Liberia initiative focused on threats to commercial shipping and seafarer safety. Ali's question about terrorism shifted the discussion to India-Pakistan relations.
Did April Ryan and Weijia Jiang intervene in the White House confrontation?
Yes, veteran White House correspondent April Ryan reportedly told Ali to move back, and White House Correspondents' Association President Weijia Jiang reportedly attempted to restore order. The Daily Beast reported on the dispute the following day, citing Ryan's intervention.
