India strongly criticised Pakistan at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for its severe violations of child rights and its role in cross-border terrorism on Tuesday.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Nishikant Dubey, part of a parliamentary delegation led by MP PP Chaudhary, defended India’s counter-terrorism operations under “Operation Sindoor” in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoJK) as a necessary and legitimate response to protect civilians, particularly children.
Dubey labelled Pakistan as one of the “most serious violators” of the Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC) agenda, referencing the UN Secretary-General’s 2025 report on CAAC, which highlighted Pakistan’s involvement in cross-border terrorism, shelling, and airstrikes that have resulted in the killing and maiming of Afghan children.
He stated, “We strongly condemn Pakistan’s attempt to divert the world’s attention from the grave abuses against children within their borders, as evidenced by the Secretary-General’s report on CAC 2025, as well as ongoing cross-border terrorism.”
He further pointed out that the same report documented Pakistan’s attacks on health workers in schools, particularly girls’ schools, and cross-border shelling and airstrikes along the Afghanistan border, which directly caused harm to Afghan children.
“Beyond their borders, the same report detailed attacks by Pakistan on health workers in schools, particularly girls’ schools, and incidents along the Afghanistan border where cross-border shelling and airstrikes by Pakistan were directly responsible for the killing and maiming of Afghan children,” Dubey said.
Referring to the April 22, terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 civilian lives, Dubey remarked, “The international community has not forgotten the brutal, targeted attacks carried out by Pakistan-trained terrorists.” In response, India launched Operation Sindoor in May 2025, conducting surgical strikes on nine terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and PoJK, eliminating several terrorists.
Dubey elaborated, “In a considered and balanced response, India exercised its legitimate right to defend its people against terrorism and bring its organisers and perpetrators to justice, carrying out surgical strikes on nine terrorist hideouts under Operation Sindoor in May 2025.
In contrast, Pakistan deliberately targeted our border villages, resulting in the deaths of numerous civilians, including children,” referring to the Pakistani army’s retaliatory firing on Indian border villages in May 2025, which caused civilian casualties.
Dubey called out Pakistan’s hypocrisy in addressing international forums, stating, “Pakistan must look at itself in the mirror, stop preaching on this platform, act to protect children within its borders, and stop targeting women and children within its borders.”
He also highlighted India’s efforts in child protection, expressing gratitude to the UN Special Rapporteur for recognising initiatives like the Child Helpline 1098, which provides emergency assistance to children. Dubey reaffirmed India’s commitment to child welfare, stating, “Creating an enabling environment for the protection and holistic development of children is a matter of national importance.”
Also Read: Operation Sindoor wasn’t aimed to start war with Pak: Rajnath
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