India gave a strong rebuttal to Pakistan in the UN General Assembly for comments made by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Kashmir, condemning these statements as “mischievous provocation” and “political propaganda” that sought to draw attention away from Pakistan’s domestic problems that include long standing issues with extremism.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his address to the UNGA, spotlighted the Kashmir issue, alleging that India’s actions in the region were a matter of international concern. He urged the UN to address what he termed “human rights violations” and reiterated his call for the implementation of Security Council resolutions regarding Kashmir. He reiterated Pakistan’s position on extending support for Kashmir’s right to self-determination.
India’s Firm Response
Sneha Dubey, speaking in response for India, cited comments from Pakistan as “false narratives” meant to obfuscate Pakistan’s innumerous internal issues that include harbouring world-renowned terrorists. Dubey said the regime in Pakistan has always provided sanctuary to terrorists and described the association that the country had with Osama Bin Laden. It was stated that Pakistan’s remarks on Kashmir have become a wet dream for international attention, made at the expense of the state of human rights that prevail there and stability in Pakistan itself.
In addition to rebutting Pakistan’s remarks, India also underscored the problems of economic instability, political turmoil, and recurrent military takeovers in Pakistan, claiming that the very internal maladies would stall its credibility. Other arguments from Dubey focused on establishing that Jammu and Kashmir are an inextricable part of India and that any attempts aimed at interfering with that sovereignty are, therefore, violations of international norms.
UN’s Stance on the Issue
Though the UN has, for the most part, taken a less robust position on Kashmir, very often it calls on both countries to resolve their issues bilaterally. However, there have been periodic flare-ups within the UN due to Pakistan’s repeated appeals for international intervention. India has consistently maintained that Kashmir is an internal matter, and its recent remarks at the UN buttressed its stand.
This exchange comes against a background where Pakistan is facing a severe tenacity of economic and security challenges. The latest reports, however, suggest that Pakistan’s economy is still fragile and still vulnerable to extremism within its borders. India’s insistence on accountability and transparency in Pakistan’s dealings with extremist groups gels with more than urgent calls from the international community for action against terrorism in South Asia.
Broader Implications
India made an onslaught against Pakistan’s remarks, stressing much more on Pakistan’s problems of economic instability, political turmoil, and military coups, which all seem to chip away at its credibility. Dubey also noted that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India, and interfering with its sovereignty would be considered an international norm violation.
There has been little to suggest anything for the Security Council to do on Kashmir itself, with the UN calling upon both parties to resolve their differences bilaterally. However, Pakistan’s repeated appeals for international intervention have, from time to time, roused disputes within the UN. India has historically viewed Kashmir as an internal matter, and recently, at the UN, elaborated upon its position.
India’s response stresses its intention to fight against disinformation and consolidate its position for Kashmir as a matter of national sovereignty. An exchange at the UN could imply regional tensions continue to simmer, with any dispute that India deems false or inflammatory being adamantly counterbalanced.
