India launched a sharp rebuttal to Pakistan at the United Nations, accusing Islamabad of using international platforms to deflect attention from its internal challenges while attempting to target India through what it described as politically motivated narratives.
Speaking during an interactive dialogue on minority issues at the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee, India’s First Secretary to the UN, Raghoo Puri, questioned Pakistan’s record on the protection of minority rights and raised concerns over the influence of the country’s military establishment on its political system.
In a pointed response, the Indian diplomat argued that Pakistan should focus on addressing its own domestic issues, including concerns related to economic instability, law and order, and the treatment of minority communities, rather than making allegations against India in international forums.
Referring to the controversy surrounding Pakistan’s 2024 general elections, Puri described the administration in Islamabad as a “Form 47 government”, an apparent reference to allegations made by political opponents regarding the election process.
He further asserted that the Pakistani military continued to exercise significant influence over the country’s political decision-making, describing it as the real centre of power in the country.
The Indian representative also drew attention to the declining presence of minority communities in Pakistan over the decades, arguing that the issue warranted serious introspection by Islamabad. He urged Pakistan to prioritize the welfare, security and rights of its own citizens instead of attempting to divert international attention towards India.
Rejecting Pakistan’s comments on Jammu and Kashmir, Puri reiterated India’s long-standing position that the Union Territory is an integral and inalienable part of the country.
He maintained that the only outstanding issue pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir relates to territories that remain under Pakistan’s illegal occupation.
Defending India’s record on minority rights, the diplomat highlighted the country’s pluralistic character, describing India as a vibrant multi-religious, multi-ethnic and multilingual democracy. He emphasized that the Indian Constitution guarantees equal rights and protections to all citizens irrespective of faith, language or ethnicity.
Puri also pointed to the significant contributions made by members of minority communities across a wide spectrum of national life, including government, the armed forces, business, academia, science, arts and culture.
He said India’s democratic institutions and constitutional framework continue to provide opportunities for participation and representation to all sections of society.
Underscoring a broader principle, the Indian representative argued that the protection and promotion of minority rights remain the sovereign responsibility of individual nations and should be pursued through domestic constitutional and legal mechanisms.
The exchange marked yet another round of diplomatic sparring between India and Pakistan at the United Nations, where the two countries have frequently clashed over issues relating to human rights, minorities and Jammu and Kashmir.
India has consistently maintained that Pakistan should address its own internal shortcomings before raising concerns about India’s domestic affairs on international platforms.
