Bharat delivered a robust response to Pakistan’s assertions regarding Jammu and Kashmir at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), asserting that a nation with such a dismal human rights record has no right to interfere in the internal affairs of others. During the 55th Regular Session of the UNHRC, Bharat’s first secretary Anupama Singh reaffirmed the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral parts of Bharat, criticising Pakistan’s misuse of the council’s platform to propagate false allegations.
Addressing the council, Anupama Singh denounced Pakistan’s human rights record as “truly abysmal,” citing a specific incident of persecution against the Christian community in Jaranwala city in August 2023. She highlighted the irony of Pakistan’s criticism against Bharat, a country making significant progress in economic and social development, while Pakistan itself grapples with institutionalised persecution of minorities and a history of sponsoring terrorism globally.
Apart from this, Singh accused Pakistan of supporting UNSC-sanctioned terrorists and fostering terrorism on a global scale. She concluded by asserting Bharat cannot afford to lend further attention to a nation tainted by terrorism, economic instability, and governance failures.
The ongoing UNHRC session, which commenced on February 26, serves as a platform for diplomatic exchanges between Bharat and Pakistan. Bharat’s stance underscores the importance of a terrorism-free environment for normalising ties with Pakistan, as highlighted by Bharat’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who stressed the significance of Pakistan’s actions and choices for its future, particularly regarding economic challenges such as dwindling foreign reserves and high inflation.
