India took a hard stance against Pakistan at the United Nations General Assembly after Islamabad once again raised the issue of Jammu and Kashmir on a global platform. Speaking at the UN General Assembly Plenary, Eldos Mathew Punnoose, Counsellor at India’s Permanent Mission to the UN, said Pakistan continues to misuse UN forums to push a “divisive agenda.”
“At a time when member states have to rise beyond their narrow considerations, Pakistan continues to misuse all platforms and processes in the UN to drive their divisive agenda,” Punnoose said, according to PTI.
Kashmir is an integral part of India, says New Delhi
Punnoose made it clear that Pakistan’s reference to Jammu and Kashmir was completely unwarranted. He said the Union Territory is an “integral and inalienable part of India.”
“This forum is no exception either, and Pakistan made an unwarranted reference to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said while delivering India’s national statement during the discussion on the UN Secretary-General’s report on the work of the organisation.
Self-determination cannot be misused, India warns Pakistan
India also slammed Pakistan’s repeated use of the term “self-determination.” “The right to self-determination is a fundamental principle enshrined in the UN Charter. However, this right must not be abused to encourage secession in pluralistic and democratic states,” Punnoose said.
He added that Pakistan should stop making baseless allegations and spreading false narratives that have no connection with reality. “Though habituated, Pakistan would do well if they do not resort to baseless allegations and falsehoods and portray a picture that is completely detached from reality,” he said.
India’s response came after Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, referred to Jammu and Kashmir during his address to the General Assembly. Pakistan has repeatedly raised the Kashmir issue at the United Nations and other international platforms. However, it has failed to gain maximum support from the international community on the matter.
India flags concerns of the Global South
Beyond responding to Pakistan, India also used the platform to speak about challenges faced by the Global South. Punnoose said developing countries continue to struggle with issues such as development financing and climate justice.
“India has consistently endeavoured to bring these to the forefront across all UN platforms,” he said, adding that there is a need for focused follow-up action. “Moving forward, there is a need to translate the sentiments of the Global South to concrete and tangible steps,” he said.
Punnoose warned that the UN’s failure to act effectively, especially on global conflicts, raises questions about its credibility.