'Time to hold Pakistan to account, not let them abuse UN platforms': India hits back at Islamabad

Giving a strong rebuttal to Pakistan’s attempt to raise the Kashmir issue, India, in its Right of Reply at the 1st committee (Disarmament and International Security issues) General Debate, said that “given Pakistan’s state practice of hosting, aiding and actively supporting terrorists, how could one expect any constructive contribution from Pakistan to this committee that deals with important matters of international peace and security”.

Counsellor in India’s Permanent Mission to the UN, A Amarnath, said that Pakistan’s baseless accusations against India “are indeed rich coming from a nation that is encouraging sectarian violence against Muslims and suppresses the rights of minorities.”

He said that Pakistan has made a number of futile and unsubstantiated allegations against India, including in relation to the Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh.

“These do not merit a response as they pertain to matters internal to India”, he said, and reiterated that the entire territory of J&K “was, is and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India.”

“This includes the areas that are under the illegal occupation of Pakistan. We call upon Pakistan to immediately vacate these areas under its illegal occupation,” he said.

Pakistan’s envoy to the UN Munir Akram had raked up the issue of Jammu and Kashmir during the meeting of the General Assembly’s First Committee that deals with disarmament and international security issues.

Amarnath said that despite Pakistan’s hopeless efforts, the world is able to see through its deceit and doublespeak.

“It is time to hold Pakistan to account and not let them abuse UN platforms for spreading disinformation, hate and incite violence.”

He said India as a responsible state strictly abides by its obligations under international treaties “and needs no advice from a country which has a proven track record of illicit export of nuclear materials and technology”-- in response to the Pakistani envoy referring to India's defence arsenal.

“India’s security concerns are not confined to a region and therefore India has always approached these issues in a global context.”

“As the epicentre of global terrorism, Pakistan is the biggest destabilising force in the world, and has repeatedly indulged in cross-border terrorism against its neighbours,” he added.

Pakistan has no regard for UN principles, he said, adding, “While Pakistan’s permanent representative speaks about peace and security here, his Prime Minister glorifies global terrorists like Osama bin Laden as martyrs. What more could be a better proof of the utter duplicity that this country is infamous for?”

He said in contrast to India’s constructive approach on disarmament matters, “Pakistan has only been disruptive.”

“It is 25 years now that the world is paying the price for Pakistan’s obstructive tactics in the Conference of Disarmament which has not allowed the CD (Conference of Disarmament) to adopt a programme of work.”

Pakistan has “the dubious distinction of having single handedly blocked the negotiations on Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT), including in 2009 when the CD adopted a consensus programme of work.”

“Having joined the consensus, Pakistan revealed its true character by soon taking a complete U-turn and blocking any work by the CD,” he added.

“The First Committee has a vast agenda dealing with global issues relating to disarmament and international security. This is not the forum to address bilateral or regional issues,” he asserted.

“We wish to reiterate that regional security issues have no place in the First Committee’s consideration,” Amarnath stressed.

He said the committee should not only categorically reject Pakistan’s “nefarious and vicious designs but collectively condemn Pakistan for its repeated efforts to politicise the committee’s work and hijack its mandate”.

“Going by its past practice and its compulsive obsession with India, Pakistan may exercise its Right of Reply and continue its malicious, false propaganda against my country, but I shall refrain from responding to it out of respect for the committee’s work under your able leadership and guidance,” he added, addressing the Chairperson.