At UN, India Slams Pakistan Over Misuse of Self Determination to Encourage Secession
India calls out Pakistan for misusing UN platforms to push a divisive agenda, reaffirming Jammu and Kashmir as an integral part of India.
United Nations, Jan 16: India on Thursday criticized Pakistan for misusing United Nations platforms to advance its “divisive agenda” after Islamabad’s envoy raised the issue of Jammu and Kashmir in the General Assembly.
Delivering India’s national statement at the UN General Assembly plenary on the “Report of the Secretary-General on the work of the Organisation,” Counsellor Eldos Mathew Punnoose, from India’s Permanent Mission to the UN, said the right to self-determination must not be abused to promote secession in pluralistic and democratic states.
“At a time when member states must rise above narrow considerations, Pakistan continues to misuse UN platforms and processes to push its divisive agenda,” Punnoose said. “This forum is no exception. Pakistan made an unwarranted reference to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, which is an integral and inalienable part of India.”
He stressed that while the right to self-determination is a fundamental principle enshrined in the UN Charter, it cannot be exploited to encourage secession. Punnoose urged Pakistan to refrain from making baseless allegations and presenting a narrative detached from reality.
The remarks came after Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, mentioned Jammu and Kashmir in his General Assembly address. Pakistan has repeatedly raised the issue at UN forums but has failed to garner meaningful international support.
Beyond the Kashmir issue, Punnoose highlighted the challenges faced by the Global South, including development financing and climate justice. He urged member states to translate expressed commitments into tangible actions and stressed that the UN must deliver on its three pillars peace and security, development, and human rights.
He added that the UN’s inability to effectively fulfil its mandates raises questions about its efficacy, legitimacy, and credibility. “This is particularly pronounced in maintaining international peace and security. With conflicts raging across the world, the global community looks to the UN to alleviate human suffering and restore stability,” Punnoose said.
