India responds to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s comment in Kashmir during UNGA: ‘Nation that hosted Osama bin Laden…’

At the UNGA, Indian diplomat Bhavika Mangalanandan replied to Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, saying a military-led country with a global reputation for terrorism had the audacity to attack the world’s largest democracy.

As reported by ANIMangalanandan said: “This meeting unfortunately witnessed a travesty this morning. A country ruled by the military, with a global reputation for terrorism, narcotics, trafficking and transnational crime, has had the audacity to attack the world’s largest democracy. I am talking about the reference to India in the Pakistani Prime Minister’s speech. As the world knows, Pakistan has long used cross-border terrorism as a weapon against its neighbors.”

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She further denounced Pakistan, saying: “It has attacked our Parliament, our financial capital, Mumbai, market places and pilgrimage routes. The list is long. If such a country talks about violence anywhere, that is hypocrisy at its worst. It is even more extraordinary for a country with a history of rigged elections to also talk about political choices in a democracy.”

Mangalanandan lambasted Pakistan and said the real truth is that Pakistan “covets our territory and has in fact continuously used terrorism to disrupt elections in Jammu and Kashmir, an inalienable and integral part of India.”

“Reference has been made to some proposals of strategic restraint. There can be no similarity with terrorism. In fact, Pakistan should realize that cross-border terrorism against India will inevitably have consequences. It is ridiculous that a nation that committed genocide in 1971 and that ruthlessly persecutes its minorities even now, dares to talk about bigotry and phobias,” Mangalanandan added.

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She further said, “The world can see with its own eyes what Pakistan really is. We’re talking about a nation that long harbored Osama bin Laden. A country whose fingerprints are on so many terrorist incidents around the world, whose policies are attracting the dregs of many societies to make it their home. Perhaps it should come as no surprise that the Prime Minister would speak like this in this hallowed hall. Yet we must make it clear how unacceptable his words are to all of us. We know that Pakistan will try to fight the truth with more lies. Repetition won’t change anything. Our position is clear and needs no repetition.”

Earlier on Friday, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif lifted the Kashmir bogey in his address to the United Nations General Assembly. He called on New Delhi to enter into dialogue with Islamabad for a peaceful resolution of the dispute.

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“Let me say in no uncertain terms that Pakistan will respond very decisively to any Indian aggression. Therefore, to secure lasting peace, India must reverse the unilateral and illegal measures it has taken since August 5, 2019 and engage in dialogue for peaceful peace. resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN security resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people,” he asserted.

Shehbaz Sharif claimed that India was “engaged in a massive expansion of its military capabilities”, which are essentially deployed against Pakistan.

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“Italy (India) has been engaged in a massive expansion of its military capabilities, mainly deployed against Pakistan. His war doctrines provide for surprise attack and limited war under the nuclear overhang. India has mindlessly rejected Pakistan’s proposals for mutual strategic restraint. The regime’s leadership has often threatened to cross the line of control and take over Azad Kashmir,” Shehbaz Sharif said.

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India has clearly stated since the 2019 Pulwama attack that it pursues normal bilateral relations with Pakistan, emphasizing the need for Pakistan to create an enabling environment free from terrorism and hostility. Moreover, India has consistently expressed concern over Pakistan’s support for cross-border terrorism, claiming that terrorism and dialogue cannot coexist.

India has also presented evidence about Pakistan’s support to terrorist groups at various international forums. Moreover, India now has the right to respond to Pakistan’s speech in the UNGA.