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India on Friday accused Pakistan of being unable to comprehend democratic ideals, saying concepts of democracy and constitution are alien to the country, which operates under the shadow of the military.
India demanded that Islamabad end its repression in areas it illegally occupies in Kashmir.
“The people of Jammu and Kashmir exercise their fundamental rights in accordance with India’s time-tested democratic traditions and constitutional framework,” India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, P. Harish, told the Security Council.
“We, of course, know that these are concepts alien to Pakistan,” he added.
Harish called upon Pakistan to end the “grave and ongoing human rights violations” in the areas it occupies illegally, where the population is in revolt against “Pakistan’s military occupation, repression, brutality and illegal exploitation of resources.”
The remarks came as the UN Security Council met to mark the 80th anniversary of the founding of the UN under the theme, “Looking into the Future.”
Pakistan’s Permanent Representative Asim Iftikhar Ahmad referenced the 1948 Security Council resolution on a plebiscite in Kashmir, claiming it had not been fulfilled.
Harish rejected this claim, pointing out that Resolution 47 of April 1948 primarily demanded that Pakistan withdraw its armed forces, security personnel, and civilians from the areas it had invaded.
He noted that Pakistan has failed to comply with this resolution, while Kashmiris outside its occupation have integrated into India’s democratic framework.
The Indian diplomat highlighted the ongoing human rights violations in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, citing the killing of at least 12 civilians last month in the latest crackdown. He criticised Islamabad for twisting the intent of the Security Council resolution.
Earlier, speaking in New Delhi at the release of a stamp commemorating 80 years of the UN, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed Pakistan’s role in international terrorism.
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Harish said the UN’s failure to address terrorism undermines its credibility, pointing out that a sitting Security Council member protects organisations responsible for attacks such as the April Pahalgam assault.
“Few examples are more telling about the challenges facing the UN than its response to terrorism,” Harish said.
“When a sitting Security Council member openly protects the very organisation that claims responsibility for barbaric terror attacks such as at Pahalgam, what does it do to the credibility of multilateralism?” he asked.
He added, “Similarly, if victims and perpetrators of terrorism are equated in the name of global strategy, how much more cynical can the world get? When self-proclaimed terrorists are shielded from the sanctioning process, what does it say for the sincerity of those involved?”
The terrorist organisation, The Resistance Front, which carried out the April Pahalgam attack killing 26 civilians, along with its sponsor Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), continues to be protected by Pakistan. Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, LeT’s leader who is under UN sanctions, operates freely in the country.
