India slams Pakistan PM’s Kashmir comments at UNGA, labels them ‘Utter Hypocrisy’

During the UNGA, Indian diplomat Bhavika Mangalanandan addressed remarks made by Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, declaring, "This assembly regrettably saw a travesty today. A country led by its military, infamous for terrorism, drug trafficking, and transnational crime, has had the audacity to criticize the world's largest democracy. I am specifically referring to the reference to India in the speech given by the Pakistani PM."

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Sonia Dham
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Indian diplomat Bhavika Mangalanandan (ANI)

India issued a sharp rebuttal to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's remarks on Jammu and Kashmir at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), calling his statement “hypocrisy at its worst.” This came shortly after Sharif once again racked up the Kashmir issue during his address at the General Debate of the 79th session of the UNGA on Friday.

Exercising its Right of Reply, Indian diplomat Bhavika Mangalanandan condemned Sharif's comments, accusing Pakistan of using terrorism as a tool against its neighbors. "This assembly regrettably witnessed a travesty this morning. I speak about the reference to India in the speech of the Pakistani PM. As the world knows, Pakistan has long employed cross-border terrorism as a weapon against its neighbors,” Mangalanandan stated.

She went on to criticize Pakistan’s internal issues, including its history of rigged elections and its global reputation for terrorism and narcotics trafficking. “For such a country to speak about violence anywhere is hypocrisy at its worst,” she added.

Pakistan covets our territory

India reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the country and accused Pakistan of using terrorism to disrupt elections in the region. “The real truth is that Pakistan covets our territory and has continuously used terrorism to disrupt elections in Jammu and Kashmir,” Mangalanandan emphasized.

India also warned Pakistan that cross-border terrorism will not go unanswered. “Pakistan should realize that cross-border terrorism against India will inevitably invite consequences,” Mangalanandan said. She further highlighted Pakistan’s alleged involvement in global terrorist incidents, saying the country continues to harbor extremist elements.

Sharif's Remarks at UNGA

In his address, Prime Minister Sharif raised the Kashmir issue, referencing Article 370, which India abrogated in 2019, and Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani. He urged India to reverse the revocation of Article 370 and called for a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue in line with UN Security Council resolutions.

Sharif drew a comparison between Kashmir and Palestine, claiming both peoples are struggling for self-determination. He also accused India of targeting Muslims and escalating Islamophobia, saying that a "Hindu supremacist agenda" in India seeks to subjugate its Muslim population.

India's firm stand

It is important to note that India has consistently maintained that Jammu and Kashmir, along with Ladakh, are integral parts of the country. Despite Pakistan’s repeated attempts to internationalize the Kashmir issue, India continues to stand firm, dismissing Pakistan’s claims as unfounded.