India at UN: Pakistan Must Withdraw from Occupied J&K
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Synopsis
India firmly stated at the UN that Pakistan continues to illegally occupy parts of Jammu and Kashmir and must vacate the territory. This statement came in response to Pakistan's repeated claims about the region during a UN debate on peacekeeping reforms, emphasizing India's position on Jammu and Kashmir's integral status.
Key Takeaways
- Pakistan is accused of illegally occupying Jammu and Kashmir.
- India demands Pakistan vacate the territory.
- Ambassador Harish criticized unwarranted remarks from Pakistan.
- India desires normal relations but insists on a terror-free environment.
- Jaishankar links resolution of Kashmir issue to vacating PoK.
New Delhi, March 25 (NationPress) On Tuesday, India asserted that Pakistan continues to illegally occupy a portion of Jammu and Kashmir and emphasized that it must vacate the territory. India criticized Pakistan for its repeated references to Jammu and Kashmir during a United Nations debate focused on peacekeeping reforms.
During the Security Council meeting, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, declared that such remarks were unwarranted and reiterated that the region was, is, and will always be an integral part of India.
“India is compelled to note that the delegate of Pakistan has yet again resorted to unwarranted remarks regarding the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. These repeated references do not validate their illegal claims nor excuse their state-sponsored cross-border terrorism,” Harish stated.
“Pakistan continues to illegally occupy the territory of Jammu and Kashmir, which it must vacate. We advise Pakistan against attempting to divert attention from this forum to promote its parochial and divisive agenda. India will refrain from exercising a more elaborate Right of Reply,” he added.
This response followed comments made by Syed Tariq Fatemi, Special Assistant to the Pakistan Prime Minister, who spoke on Jammu and Kashmir during a discussion on the future of UN Peacekeeping at the Security Council.
Last week, India also criticized Pakistan at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHR) meeting in Geneva, dismissing its allegations of human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir. “It is regrettable to see Pakistan’s so-called leaders and delegates continuing to dutifully spread falsehoods handed down by its military-terrorist complex,” said Indian envoy Kshitij Tyagi.
India has consistently expressed its desire for normal neighborly relations with Pakistan but insists that it is Islamabad’s responsibility to foster an environment devoid of terror and hostility.
Recently, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated that Pakistan vacating Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) would completely resolve the Kashmir issue.
Jaishankar made this remark in response to a question from an audience member at Chatham House, a London-based think tank, on March 5.
“Look in Kashmir, we have made significant progress. The removal of Article 370 was the first step. Then we focused on restoring growth, economic activity, and social justice in Kashmir, which was the second step. Holding elections with high turnout was step three. The only remaining issue is the return of the stolen part of Kashmir currently under illegal Pakistani occupation. Once that is accomplished, I assure you, the Kashmir issue will be resolved,” Jaishankar asserted.
