India hits back at the Pakistani Prime Minister over the statement on Kashmir at the UN

New York: India called it a “mockery” that Pakistan, which has “a global reputation for terrorism”, has “dared to attack the world’s largest democracy” and raised the issue of Jammu and Kashmir on the platform of the United Nations to be raised.

The First Secretary of the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, Bhavika Mangalanandan, on Friday (local time) criticized Pakistan’s “hypocrisy” for inciting Kashmir and questioning the elections in Jammu and Kashmir in law of India to respond at the ongoing 79th session of the United Nations. General Assembly of the Nations (UNGA).

In a strong rebuttal to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s allegations in his UNGA speech, the Indian diplomat stressed that Pakistan had “used terrorism to disrupt the elections in Jammu and Kashmir”.

“The truth is that Pakistan covets our territory and has consistently used terrorism to disrupt elections in Jammu and Kashmir, an inalienable and integral part of India. Reference has been made to some proposals for strategic restraint,” she 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 Pakistan Prime Minister’s speech,” Mangalanandan said.

The Indian diplomat brought up the 2008 Mumbai attacks and the 2001 attack on the Indian Parliament.

“Pakistan has long used cross-border terrorism as a weapon against its neighbors,” Mangalanandan said. “It has attacked our parliament, our financial capital Mumbai, market places and pilgrimage routes. The list is long,” she said.

“For such a country to talk about violence anywhere is hypocrisy at its worst. It is even more exceptional for a country with a history of rigged elections to also talk about political choices in a democracy,” the Indian diplomat said.

While expressing India’s right of reply at the UNGA, she said, “There cannot be any agreement with terrorism. In fact, Pakistan should realize that cross-border terrorism against India will inevitably have consequences.”

Highlighting the 1971 genocide in Bangladesh, she said, “It is ridiculous that a country that committed genocide in 1971 and has ruthlessly persecuted its minorities even now, dares to talk about bigotry and phobias. The world can see with its own eyes what Pakistan really is. 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 his 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. Our position is clear and needs no repetition,” Mangalanandan said.

Earlier on Friday, Sharif, in his address to the UNGA, said India should roll back the abrogation of Article 370 and engage in dialogue with Pakistan for a “peaceful” resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir issue.

“Let me say in unequivocal terms that Pakistan will respond decisively to any Indian aggression. Therefore, to ensure 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.

“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.

Shehbaz Sharif referred to the abrogation of Article 370 and alleged that India has been taking unilateral illegal steps since August 5, 2019.

“Instead of pursuing peace, India has reneged on its commitments to implement Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir. These resolutions mandate the people of Jammu and Kashmir to exercise their fundamental right to self-determination. Since August 5, 2019, India has taken unilateral illegal steps to impose what its leaders frankly call a final solution for Jammu and Kashmir,” Shehbaz Sharif alleged.

India has already made it clear after the Pulwama attack in 2019 that it wants normal bilateral ties with Pakistan, adding that it is incumbent upon them to create an enabling environment free from terrorism and hostilities.

Moreover, India has repeatedly expressed concern over Pakistan’s support for cross-border terrorism and asserted that terror and talks cannot go together. India has also provided evidence of Pakistan’s support to terrorist groups at various international forums.