India to UNSC: Pakistan must vacate illegally occupied J&K
India slammed Pakistan at the United Nations, accusing it of illegally occupying Jammu and Kashmir and demanding an immediate withdrawal.
India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, delivered the statement on Monday during the UN Security Council’s Open Debate on Advancing Adaptability in UN Peace Operations. He reaffirmed that Jammu and Kashmir remains an integral part of India.
“Pakistan continues to illegally occupy Jammu and Kashmir, which it must vacate,” Harish said, responding to Pakistan’s attempt to raise the Kashmir issue during the debate. He rejected Pakistan’s claims, calling them “unwarranted remarks” and criticized its state-sponsored cross-border terrorism.
Harish warned Pakistan against using global platforms to push a divisive agenda. He also stated that India would not engage in a more detailed Right of Reply.
Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after India revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special status by abrogating Article 370 on August 5, 2019. This move divided the region into two Union Territories—Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
India maintains that normal relations with Pakistan depend on an environment free from terrorism and hostility.
In February, India condemned Pakistan’s statements on Kashmir at the UN Human Rights Council. Indian diplomat Kshitij Tyagi called Pakistan’s remarks “baseless and malicious” and accused it of using the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) as a propaganda tool.
“It is regrettable to see Pakistan’s leaders spreading falsehoods scripted by its military-terrorist complex,” Tyagi said. He emphasized that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh remain India’s inalienable territories.
Tyagi also highlighted economic development in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370. India continues to reject Pakistan’s claims and urges it to stop promoting false narratives on international platforms.
