India has condemned Pakistan's repeated reference to Jammu and Kashmir during a debate at the United Nations on peacekeeping reforms. New Delhi dismissed Islamabad's arguments as "unwarranted" and reaffirmed that the region "was, is, and will always be an integral part of India."
India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish called out Pakistan at the Security Council for attempting to "divert attention" from the core discussions on peacekeeping.
"India is compelled to note that the delegate of Pakistan has yet again resorted to unwarranted remarks on the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Such repeated references neither validate their illegal claims nor justify their state-sponsored cross-border terrorism," he stated.
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Pakistan Illegally Occupying Parts Of J&K
Speaking further, Harish stressed that Pakistan is illegally occupying parts of Jammu and Kashmir which it must vacate.
"Pakistan continues to illegally occupy the territory of Jammu and Kashmir, which it must vacate," he said making it clear that India would not allow its sovereignty to be questioned at global forums.
Dismissing Pakistan's attempts to use the platform for its "parochial and divisive agenda", he advised Islamabad "not to try to divert the attention of this forum."
He noted that India would not engage in a detailed response but made its position clear. "India will refrain from exercising a more elaborate Right of Reply," he concluded.
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UN Peacekeeping Session
During the session on reforms in UN peacekeeping, India emphasised the need for adapting missions to modern challenges including threats posed by armed groups, non-state actors and new-age weaponry.
The Permanent Representative underscored the role of troop-and police- contributing countries in shaping mandates and called for "adequate funding" to match operation needs, reported ANI.