Heated exchange erupted between India and Pakistan, centering on the contentious issue of Kashmir at the United Nations General Assembly on Friday.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif accused India of failing to honor its commitments to implement UN Security Council resolutions regarding the region.
In his speech, Sharif stated, “Like the people of Palestine, the people of Jammu and Kashmir too have struggled for a century for their freedom and right to self-determination. Instead of moving towards peace, India has resiled from its commitments.”
He demanded reversal of the abrogation of Article 370 and engage in dialogue for a peaceful resolution.
India responded vehemently through Bhavika Mangalanandan, First Secretary in India’s Permanent Mission to the UN. “This assembly regrettably witnessed a travesty this morning. A country run by the military, with a global reputation for terrorism, narcotics trade and transnational crime has had the audacity to attack the world’s largest democracy,” she said.
Mangalanandan accused Pakistan of supporting cross-border terrorism, stating, “It has attacked our Parliament, our financial capital, Mumbai, marketplaces and pilgrimage routes. The list is long.”
Sharif further accused India of employing 900,000 troops to terrorise Kashmiris, citing “draconian measures” and a “settler colonial project” aimed at transforming the region’s demographics. He insisted, “It shall fail by the grace of God.”
In a strong retort, Mangalanandan emphasised, “For such a country to speak about violence anywhere is hypocrisy at its worst.” She noted Pakistan’s historical support for terrorism and declared that “cross-border terrorism against India will inevitably invite consequences.”
While Sharif called for a “Strategic Restraint Regime,” India firmly rejected any notion of compromise with terrorism. Mangalanandan asserted, “The real truth is that Pakistan covets our territory,” and labeled Pakistan’s claims as “baseless and misleading.”
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