India Rebukes Pakistan for Raising ‘Kashmir’ Issue at UN Meeting

Kashmir is a very sensitive issue for both India and Pakistan, but lately New Delhi has been quite sulky as Canada alleged involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Sikh separatist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in June 2023. 

Taking it as an opportune time, Pakistan’s Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar told the 78^th session of the United Nations General Assembly during the General Debate on Friday that the unfortunate killing of Singh on Canadian soil is a reflection of an ominous tendency. “But for obvious economic and strategic reasons, many players in the Western capitals chose to ignore this fact and reality.” 

Kakar also brought up Kashmir and India’s illegal and unilateral actions of August 5, 2019 and the abrogation of Kashmir’s special status. He called for the implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions on the J&K dispute. “Pakistan desires peaceful and productive relations with all our neighbors, including India. Kashmir is the key to peace between Pakistan and India.” 

Pakistan Wants Peace in the Neighborhood

The Pakistan caretaker prime minister highlighted that development depends on peace. “Pakistan is situated in the least economically integrated region in the world. Pakistan believes that regions develop together therefore, the country desires peaceful and productive relations with all neighbors.” 

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Kakar urged the global powers to convince New Delhi to accept Pakistan’s offer of mutual restraint on strategic and conventional weapons. He also raised concerns about Afghanistan, specifically the rights of girls and women. Pakistan advocates continued humanitarian assistance to a destitute Afghan population in which Afghan girls and women are the most vulnerable. 

“Pakistan’s first priority is to prevent and counter all terrorism from and within Afghanistan. Pakistan condemns cross border terrorist attacks against Pakistan by the TTP, Daesh, and other groups operating from Afghanistan. “

India Highlight’s Pakistan’s Human Rights Record

Not to bow down, India’s first secretary at UN for second committee of UNGA Petal Gahlot said Pakistan is deflecting the international community’s attention away from its own abysmal human rights record. 

“We reiterate that the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir are an integral part of India. Matters pertaining to the UTs of J&K and Ladakh are purely internal to India. Pakistan has no locus standi to comment on our domestic matters.” 

In March 2023, Mary Lawlor, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, said Indian authorities are intensifying the long standing repression of Kashmir civil society. She said the state must respect its human rights obligations and be held accountable where it violates them.