India Criticizes Pakistan's Minority Rights Record at UN Assembly
India's representative at the UN calls for Pakistan to prioritize its citizens' welfare over military directives.
India asserts Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of its territory.
India challenges Pakistan's use of the UN for propaganda while neglecting minority rights.
India emphasizes the importance of protecting minority rights as a sovereign responsibility.
India has strongly criticized Pakistan during a recent session of the United Nations General Assembly, asserting that the neighboring country is misusing the international platform to promote propaganda while failing to safeguard the rights of its own citizens. In a statement made by Raghoo Puri, India's First Secretary at the Permanent Mission to the UN, he reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral and inalienable part of India and called for Pakistan to vacate all territories it occupies illegally.
Puri's remarks came during an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues, where he emphasized that Pakistani representatives should focus on the welfare of their own people rather than following military directives. He criticized Pakistan for its predictable misuse of the UN forum, urging its officials to address the pressing concerns of their citizens instead of engaging in external criticisms.
Highlighting the importance of minority rights, Puri stated that it is primarily the responsibility of individual states to protect these rights, guided by the principle of sovereign equality. He pointed out that India's diverse civilizational tradition is reflected in its constitutional safeguards for religious and linguistic minorities, and he acknowledged the significant contributions of these communities to India's national development.
This confrontation follows India's earlier rebuke of Pakistan on October 23 regarding its treatment of religious minorities. India accused Pakistan of neglecting vulnerable communities while attempting to lecture India on issues of religious freedom and minority protections. In a separate dialogue, Bhavika Mangalanandan, another representative from India, challenged the UN's report on religious discrimination, arguing that it disproportionately highlighted issues in developing countries while ignoring similar problems in more developed nations.
In addition to addressing minority rights, India also defended its stance on climate change at the UN General Assembly. Deputy Secretary Barkha Tamrakar emphasized the need for equity and climate justice, outlining India's commitment to sustainable development. She highlighted the constitutional and legal frameworks in place to support environmental protection and the judiciary's role in safeguarding fundamental rights against climate change impacts. Tamrakar's statements reinforce India's dedication to addressing global challenges while maintaining judicial independence and environmental integrity.
