India Criticizes Pakistan at United Nations Over Kashmir Rhetoric, Reiterates Bilateral Nature of Issue

India Criticizes Pakistan at United Nations Over Kashmir Rhetoric, Reiterates Bilateral Nature of Issue

India’s Deputy Permanent Representative K. Nagaraj Naidu addresses the UN General Assembly, responding to Pakistan’s repeated statements on Jammu and Kashmir.

United Nations/New Delhi/Islamabad: India has strongly criticized Pakistan at the United Nations, accusing its neighbor of spreading “false rhetoric” and delivering what it described as inflammatory speeches aimed at misleading the international community. The remarks came during a debate at the UN General Assembly, where Pakistan once again raised the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, prompting a sharp response from the Indian delegation.

Indian officials reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir remains a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan, rejecting Islamabad’s repeated efforts to internationalize the matter across various UN forums. They also pointed to recent developments at the UN Security Council, where attempts to raise the issue reportedly failed to gain broader support.

India Responds During UN General Assembly Debate

The exchange took place during a session of the UN General Assembly under the agenda item titled “Report of the Secretary-General on the Work of the Organization.” During the debate, Pakistan’s representative referred to the Kashmir issue, prompting India to exercise its right of reply.

India’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, K. Nagaraj Naidu, delivered a firm response, urging Pakistan to abandon what he described as divisive rhetoric and instead take meaningful steps toward restoring normal bilateral relations.

Naidu said Pakistan continued to make statements that obscured facts and misrepresented the situation, adding that such rhetoric did little to advance peace or understanding.

Allegations of Misleading the International Community

Addressing the General Assembly, Naidu accused Pakistan of attempting to “keep the international community in the dark” through what he called misleading and repetitive claims. He said that Islamabad frequently used UN platforms to present a distorted narrative of the Kashmir issue.

“Pakistan’s delegation has developed a habit of making false statements,” Naidu said. “These interventions are marked by rhetoric that spreads negativity rather than contributing to constructive dialogue.”

He added that such statements were inconsistent with the principles of diplomacy and cooperation that underpin the United Nations.

Kashmir a Bilateral Matter, India Reiterates

India reiterated its long-standing position that Jammu and Kashmir is a bilateral issue governed by agreements between the two countries, including the Simla Agreement and the Lahore Declaration. Indian officials emphasized that these frameworks clearly state that disputes between India and Pakistan should be resolved through bilateral dialogue without third-party mediation.

India’s position has been echoed by several members of the international community, who have consistently described Kashmir as a matter to be addressed directly by New Delhi and Islamabad.

This view was reinforced recently at the UN Security Council, where China—Pakistan’s close ally—sought to raise the Kashmir issue during closed consultations. According to diplomatic sources, the attempt did not receive the backing of other council members, many of whom reiterated that the issue was bilateral in nature.

China’s Effort Fails to Gain Support

China, often described by Pakistani officials as an “all-weather friend,” attempted to bring the Kashmir issue before the Security Council last week. However, the move reportedly failed to generate consensus among the 15-member body.

Diplomatic sources indicated that most council members maintained that the matter did not warrant discussion at the Security Council and emphasized the importance of bilateral engagement between India and Pakistan.

For India, the outcome was seen as a reaffirmation of its diplomatic stance and a reflection of the broader international consensus on the issue.

India Calls for Normal Diplomatic Engagement

In his remarks, Naidu urged Pakistan to move away from what he termed “dispute-driven rhetoric” and focus on restoring normal diplomatic relations.

“Pakistan should take steps to end bitter rhetoric and work toward a normal relationship,” he said, adding that inflammatory statements at international forums undermined trust and stability in the region.

India has repeatedly stated that meaningful dialogue with Pakistan can only take place in an environment free from terrorism and violence, a condition it says Pakistan has yet to meet.

Accusations Over Minority Rights

Naidu also addressed Pakistan’s comments on minority rights, expressing surprise that Islamabad raised the issue while, according to him, facing serious challenges in protecting its own minority populations.

“It is surprising that a country facing well-documented issues related to the treatment of minorities chooses to lecture others on the subject,” Naidu said. He added that such statements lacked credibility and failed to resonate with the international community.

Pakistan has previously rejected such criticism, asserting that it raises human rights concerns at international forums out of genuine concern.

Pakistan Raises Kashmir Issue Again

Pakistan’s intervention during the General Assembly session was delivered by Saad Ahmad Waraich, Adviser to Pakistan’s Mission to the United Nations. Waraich referred to developments in Jammu and Kashmir, prompting India’s response.

Islamabad has consistently sought to highlight Kashmir at the UN, arguing that it is an international dispute requiring global attention. However, these efforts have repeatedly failed to translate into formal action or resolutions within the UN system.

Broader Diplomatic Context

The latest exchange reflects enduring tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, whose relationship has been shaped by decades of conflict, limited engagement, and competing narratives over Kashmir.

India’s decision to revoke the special constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019 further intensified diplomatic friction, with Pakistan launching a global campaign to draw international attention to the move.

Despite Pakistan’s efforts, India has maintained that the reorganization of the region was an internal matter and has emphasized its commitment to development and governance reforms.

International Community’s Position

The international community has largely urged restraint from both sides, calling for peaceful dialogue and stability in South Asia. While some countries have expressed interest in regional stability and human rights, there has been no significant shift away from the position that Kashmir should be resolved bilaterally.

UN officials have typically avoided taking positions on the substance of the dispute, emphasizing instead the importance of dialogue and adherence to international norms.

Conclusion

India’s sharp rebuttal of Pakistan at the United Nations highlights the continuing diplomatic standoff over Kashmir and underscores New Delhi’s determination to counter what it views as misleading narratives on international platforms. By reiterating the bilateral nature of the issue and pointing to the lack of international support for Pakistan’s efforts, India sought to reinforce its diplomatic position.

As tensions persist, the exchange also reflects the broader challenge facing the two neighbors: moving beyond entrenched rhetoric toward meaningful engagement. For now, however, the debate at the UN suggests that Kashmir will remain a point of contention, even as the international community continues to urge restraint and dialogue.

 

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