In a strong handle on the United Nations on Tuesday, counsellor Eldos Mathew Punnoose dismissed Pakistan‘s allegations and said that the neighbour should focus on its own internal issues instead of interfering in India’s home affairs.
“Unsubstantiated allegations by Pakistan largely pertain to the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. India would like to reiterate that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are, were, and will be an integral and inalienable part of India.Clearly, Pakistan does not merit a response on the internal affairs of India,” Punnoose stated.
He additionally identified Pakistan’s ongoing human rights violations within the territories it occupies, saying, “At this juncture, we also advise Pakistan to stop the grave and ongoing human rights violations in Pakistan-occupied Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh (PoJKL).”
Highlighting the huge variations between the 2 nations, Punnoose stated India’s vibrant democracy is in stark distinction to Pakistan’s tarnished repute. He accused Pakistan of conducting “sham elections, incarcerating opposition leaders, and suppressing political voices,” and famous, “Given their tainted democratic record, Pakistan considers real democratic exercises as a sham. All countries speak from their experience. Sham elections, incarceration of opposition leaders, and suppression of political voices are what Pakistan is familiar with.”
He additional slammed Pakistan for its continued use of cross-border terrorism as a coverage in opposition to its neighbours. “It is ironic that a country which is infamous across the globe for state-sponsored terrorism and transnational crimes casts aspersions on the world’s largest democracy,” he said. He accused Pakistan of using terrorism as a weapon in opposition to India, reiterating that “it has been Pakistan’s consistent state policy to employ cross-border terrorism as a weapon against its neighbours.”
In a pointed reference to Pakistan’s criticism of India’s democratic processes, Punnoose remarked that Pakistan have to be “disappointed” to witness the functioning of actual democracy in Jammu and Kashmir. Mentioning the profitable latest elections within the union territory, Punnoose stated, “It is natural that Pakistan must be disappointed to see real democracy at work. It was only last week that election results were announced in Jammu and Kashmir. Millions of voters in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir have spoken. They exercised their right to vote and have chosen their leadership according to the Constitutional framework and universal adult suffrage. Clearly, these terms must be alien to Pakistan.”
Punnoose additionally condemned Pakistan for its persecution of non secular and ethnic minorities, emphasizing the necessity for Pakistan to resolve its inner points slightly than trying to intrude in its neighbours’ affairs. He emphasised that India embodies “pluralism, diversity, and democracy,” whereas Pakistan stands for “terrorism, parochialism, and persecution.”
Assured that details would finally communicate louder than Pakistan’s “malicious propaganda,” Punnoose reminded the UN of India’s important function within the world combat in opposition to colonialism and its unwavering dedication to freedom. He cited India’s longstanding contributions to the UN’s Decolonisation Committee since its inception in 1962.
