India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, strongly condemned Pakistan’s misinformation campaign at the UN Security Council (UNSC) and reaffirmed that Jammu and Kashmir “has been, is, and will always be” an integral part of India.
Harish made the remarks on Tuesday while delivering India’s statement at the UNSC Open Debate on Practicing Multilateralism, Reforming, and Improving Global Governance. His comments came in response to Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, who raised the Kashmir issue during the session.
“The deputy PM and Foreign Minister of Pakistan have referred to an integral and inalienable part of India, the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, in his remarks. I would like to reaffirm that the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has been, is, and will always be, an integral and inalienable part of India,” Harish said.
Slamming Pakistan’s propaganda, Harish highlighted that the people of Jammu and Kashmir exercised their democratic rights in last year’s legislative assembly elections, sending a strong message about their choice. “Pakistan’s campaigns of misinformation and disinformation do not change facts on the ground. The people of Jammu and Kashmir voted in large numbers to choose their government. The choice of the people was loud and clear. Democracy in Jammu and Kashmir is vibrant and strong—unlike in Pakistan,” he stated.
He further took aim at Pakistan’s claims of fighting terrorism, calling it the “global epicenter of terrorism” and pointing out the contradiction in its self-proclaimed role in counterterrorism efforts. “It is a supreme irony when Pakistan pats itself on the back as being at the forefront of the fight against terrorism. India has been a victim of terrorism perpetrated by Pakistan,” he said.
Harish emphasized that terrorism, in any form, cannot be justified. “There cannot be any justification for terrorism regardless of its form, type, and motive. No political grievance can justify terrorism, and the UN can make no distinction between good and bad terrorists,” he concluded.
