NEW DELHI: India raised strong objections against Pakistan’s mention of Jammu and Kashmir at the UN General Assembly, emphasising that such statements doesn’t substantiate their territorial claims.
“As is their habit, the former foreign secretary of Pakistan today has made an unjustified reference to the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir,” stated India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador P Harish, during Friday’s General Assembly meeting, which was held to observe the International Day to combat Islamophobia.
Harish added that that Pakistan’s repeated mentions would “neither validate their claim nor justify their practice of cross-border terrorism“. “The fanatical mindset of this nation is well known, as also its record of bigotry. Such efforts will not change the reality that Jammu and Kashmir was, is and will always be an integral part of India,” he declared.
This forceful response followed Pakistan’s former foreign secretary, Tehmina Janjua’s references to Jammu and Kashmir during the informal gathering commemorating the International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
The Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations shared further details on the ambassador “delivering India’s statement”. Talking about Islamophobia, Harish added to his statement, “India stands united with the UN membership in condemning incidents of religious intolerance against Muslims.” “It is imperative to recognize that religious discrimination is a broader challenge that affects followers of all faiths,” also said P Harish adding that, “Any deliberation on issues of faith must seek to unite , not divide.”
India’s criticism on Pakistan at the UN comes after Pakistan suggested India’s involvement in the recent train hijacking in Balochistan, to which the ministry of external affairs (MEA) released a statement, rejecting ‘baseless allegations’ and asked their neighbour to look inwards for ‘its own internal problems.’
MEA official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal responded to media queries regarding remarks made by the Pakistan side, saying, “We strongly reject the baseless allegations made by Pakistan. The whole world knows where the epicenter of global terrorism lies. Pakistan should look inwards instead of pointing fingers and shifting the blame for its own internal problems and failures on to others.”
Read more: MEA rejects Pakistan’s claim of India’s role in train hijacking
The attack on the Jaffar Express on March 11, which was carrying more than 450 passengers, led to 58 deaths, comprising 21 passengers, four soldiers, and 33 militants belonging to the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist group.
Pakistan regularly claims that India provides support to organisations such as the BLA to foment instability in Balochistan, charges that New Delhi categorically rejects.