India and Pakistan sparred over Jammu and Kashmir at the United Nations after Islamabad raised the issue during a meeting of the UN General Assembly Third Committee.
Responding to Pakistan's remarks, First Secretary at India's Permanent Mission to the UN, Bhavika Mangalanandan questioned the country's political system and accused its military of holding significant influence over civilian governments.
“We all know that the so-called civilian governments in Pakistan serve at the mercy of their Army and rarely complete their terms,” PTI quoted Mangalanandan.
India categorically rejected Pakistan's remarks on Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh “were, are and will always remain” integral and inalienable parts of India.
‘Desperate Attempt’ To Divert Attention
India also accused Pakistan of using the Kashmir issue to shift attention from unrest within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Mangalanandan referred to the situation in Rawalakot and other cities, alleging that hundreds of civilians had been killed and that a crackdown was underway in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir over demands for necessities and human dignity.
“This is a desperate attempt by Pakistan to mask the ongoing tragedy in Rawalakot and its other cities, the killing of hundreds of civilians, and the brutal crackdown across Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, for merely demanding bread, electricity and human dignity,” she said.
She added that Pakistan's remarks were “unsurprising”, describing them as a consequence of what India called prolonged Pakistani military occupation and repression.
India Brings Up Imran Khan
India also referred to the continued imprisonment of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, with Mangalanandan saying his health was reportedly “deteriorating fast”.
“Instead of addressing domestic discontent, Pakistan seeks to distract by fomenting instability in India and sponsoring, inciting, abetting, and financing cross-border terrorism in my country for more than three decades,” she said.
India further criticised restrictions on media coverage in Pakistan and referred to the “Form 47 government”, a term associated with allegations of manipulation in Pakistan's 2024 general elections.
“When any free media is banned from covering such news in Pakistan, the evidence becomes undeniable for the global community that only the writ of the Form 47 government and their masters and the Army headquarters runs large,” she said.
India Points To J-K Elections
India also contrasted the political process in Jammu and Kashmir with the situation in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
It told the UN committee that Jammu and Kashmir held Assembly elections in 2024, followed by a peaceful transfer of power to an elected government.
“The contrast could not have been starker. The only human rights violation taking place in Kashmir is perpetrated by the Armed Forces of Pakistan and their terrorist proxies. Propaganda does not become fact through repetition. Pakistan would serve its people better by confronting its own fault lines and building its economy than by coveting the territory of others,” Mangalanandan said.
She also reiterated India's position that the only outstanding issue was the “vacation” of territory that India says Pakistan holds under illegal and forcible occupation.
(With PTI Inputs)
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