India Hits back at Pakistan over Jammu and Kashmir at the UNSC meeting

On 18^th February, India censured Pakistan at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), claiming it as the “global epicentre of terrorism” while concurrently orchestrating itself as a key proponent in a fight against terrorism.

Pakistan harbours more than 20 UN-listed terrorist outfits while providing it with the state support for to cross-border terrorism. This was reiterated by India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, after the alacrity of Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed Ishaq Dar’s comments on Jammu and Kashmir. “For almost eight decades, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have confronted brutal foreign occupation and been denied their right to self-determination, as prescribed by multiple UN Security Council resolutions,” Dar had claimed.

In response India stressed that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and on the contrary, it is Pakistan who is in “illegal occupation of parts of Jammu and Kashmir”.

The scathing response by India came during an open debate on “Practicing multilateralism, reforming and improving global governance” held under China's presidency of the UNSC Council.

Ambassador Harish further added that it is “a supreme irony when Pakistan pats itself on the back as being at the forefront of the fight against terrorism. India has been a victim of acts of terror perpetrated by this country through terror groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed and Harkat Ul Mujahidin, among dozens of others”.

There are many Pakistan-based terror groups and individuals listed under the 1267 Al Qaida Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council and are subject to an assets freeze, arms embargo and travel ban.

Additionally, Ambassador saved no sentiments in stating that in “the past, China, a fair-weather friend of Pakistan, has often put holds and blocks on proposals submitted by India and its partners like the US to blacklist Pakistan-based terrorists at the UN

No political grievance can justify terrorism perpetrated against innocent civilians. This august body can make no distinction between good and bad terrorists.”

He also added that Dar should take note of this and not further waste the time of the Council.

“Pakistan’s campaigns of misinformation and disinformation, of lies and falsehoods, do not change facts on the ground,” he added.

He also stated that assembly elections held in Jammu and Kashmir in September-October 2024 were successful and the people of Jammu and Kashmir took part in the elections and voted in large numbers to choose their government.

“The choice of the people of Jammu & Kashmir was loud and clear. Democracy in Jammu and Kashmir is vibrant and strong, unlike in Pakistan” retorted the Harish.

India has also outlined three key principles for UNSC reform:

• expanding both permanent and non-permanent seats.
• starting text-based negotiations.
• setting ambitious timelines with concrete outcomes.

“The Global South cannot continue to be short-changed. India and major players in other parts of the world deserve their due representation in the structures of the United Nations. As regards Security Council, this translates to permanent category membership,” stated the ambassador.

He claimed that those opposed to expansion of permanent category are “status quoists with a narrow focus” and it would be unacceptable.

Quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks at the Summit for the Future in September in 2024, he said that “reforms is the key to relevance.”

“Our world has transformed and the UN needs to change with the times. It has to be reflective of the current global order rather than 1945,” he said.

He said that a polarised Security Council has been unsuccessful at dealing with the present peace and security challenges with Council members sharply divided on conflicts such as the Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas conflict.