Pakistan is a “hub of terrorism” in South Asia and beyond, and is attempting to spread a false narrative about Kashmir, First Secretary in India’s Permanent Mission to the UN, Sandeep Kumar Bayyapu, said on Monday, PTI reported. India was responding to Pakistan’s remarks during its Right of Reply session.
A Pakistani representative had said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein identified many violations in Kashmir and claimed that the region was never a part of India. A farce can only go so far, the representative added.
Bayyapu said “repeated and cynical attempts by Pakistan to spread a false narrative about Jammu and Kashmir have not succeeded earlier and will not do so now”. He added that India did not wish to engage with Pakistan on this matter anymore.
On June 26, India raised objections at the United Nations against Pakistan’s reference to alleged “egregious crimes” in Jammu and Kashmir, and said no amount of “empty rhetoric” by Pakistan would change the reality that the state is an “inalienable” part of India.
The UN report, which was released on June 14, detailed alleged human rights violations and abuses on both sides of the Line of Control. Al Hussein called on Indian security forces to exercise restraint and abide by international standards governing the use of force when dealing with future protests. The Ministry of External Affairs had said the UN report violates India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and described the report as “fallacious, tendentious and motivated”.
Pakistan welcomed the report and said it was ready to facilitate a Commission of Inquiry to visit Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir if India allows the UN similar access to Jammu and Kashmir.
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