'Pakistan Continues To Indulge In Theatrics,' India Says At UN Expressing Desire For Normal Neighbourly Relations

In February, India and Pakistan had announced that they had agreed to a ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) which was followed by Indus water talks, sporting visas and other measures.

New Delhi: India has expressed its desire for having "normal neighbourly relations" with Pakistan, stating that the onus is on Islamabad to create a conducive atmosphere by taking "credible, verifiable" action to not allow any territory under its control to be used for cross terrorism.

During a debate on the annual report of the UN Security Council to the General Assembly, India said that issues between India and Pakistan should be resolved bilaterally.

Besides this, New Delhi slammed Pakistan for raising the matters of Kashmir during the debate as India maintains that the issues pertaining to the union territory are an internal matter.

Delivering India's statement on the Report of the Security Council to the General Assembly 78th plenary meeting, R. Madhu Sudan, Counselor at Permanent Mission of India to the UN, said Pakistan continued to indulge in theatrics not "befitting the dignity of this august Forum."

India's remarks came after Pakistan Ambassador to the UN, Munir Akram, raised the issue of Kashmir in the assembly during the debate. "It is rather unfortunate that Pakistan continued to indulge in theatrics not befitting the dignity of this august Forum. It is clear that the international community is not getting fooled by this delegation anymore," Sudan said.

"The decision taken by Parliament of India regarding Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are matters internal to India," Sudan added. Sudan said issues between India and Pakistan should be resolved bilaterally and peacefully, in an "atmosphere free of terror, hostility and violence".

"India desires normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan. Our consistent position is that issues, if any, between India and Pakistan should be resolved bilaterally and peacefully, in an atmosphere free of terror, hostility and violence," the counselor said.

"The onus is on Pakistan to create such a conducive atmosphere, including by taking credible, verifiable action to not allow any territory under its control to be used for cross terrorism against India in any manner," Sudan added.

In recent months, Pakistan seems to have toned down its rhetoric against India. Pakistani Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa in April said that a stable relationship between India and Pakistan is important to unlocking the potential of South and Central Asia by ensuring connectivity between East and West Asia.

"We feel it is time to bury the past and move forward," he said, adding that the onus for meaningful dialogue rests with India. Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan had also said that India would have to take the first step for improving bilateral relations by addressing the Kashmir issue.

In February, India and Pakistan had announced that they had agreed to a ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) which was followed by Indus water talks, sporting visas and other measures.

(With Agency Inputs)