India criticises Pakistan at UNHRC for Kashmir, condemns terrorism

NEW DELHI : India has hit back at Pakistan for raising the issue of Jammu and Kashmir at the UN Human Rights Council, accusing it of being the “world’s terrorism factory” and having an appalling human rights record.India also urged Pakistan to introspect on its actions and reputation instead of making false allegations against India.

 India’s response came after Pakistan, speaking on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), mentioned Jammu and Kashmir in its statement at the General debate at the 55th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council on Monday. India said it was unfortunate that Pakistan continued to misuse the OIC’s platform to further its own politically motivated agenda.

“We have taken the floor previously during this Session and conveyed our disinclination to waste the Council’s time in responding to fallacious comments about India, by one particular delegation, which does so as they do not have anything constructive to contribute,” said Jagpreet Kaur, Under Secretary in India’s Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva.

She said India was taking the floor again only to urge that delegation to introspect on their own appalling human rights record and their deserved global reputation as the “world’s terrorism factory”. “Since the inception of the Ukrainian conflict, India has stood for peace, dialogue and diplomacy. We believe that no solution can be arrived at by shedding blood and at the cost of innocent lives. If India has chosen any side, it is the side of peace and it is for an immediate end to violence,” she said.

She added that India was deeply concerned at the worsening situation and reiterated its call for an end to all hostilities. “When innocent human lives are at stake, diplomacy must prevail as the only viable option,” she said. She also condemned the recent reports of civilian killings in Ukraine’s Bucha and supported the call for an independent investigation. “Recent reports of civilian killings in Bucha are deeply disturbing. We have unequivocally condemned these killings and support the call for an independent investigation,” she said.