"Another habitual attempt to divert attention": India slams Pakistan over remarks on Jammu and Kashmir at UN

New York [US], June 27: India has slammed Pakistan for its "baseless remarks" on Jammu and Kashmir that were "politically motivated and unfounded" and called it "another habitual attempt" to divert attention from grave violations against children that continue unabated in his own country.

During the United Nations Security Council's open debate on Children and Armed Conflict, India's Deputy Representative to the United Nations, R Ravindra, said on Wednesday (local time) that Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral and alienable parts of India.

Before concluding his remarks during the debate, R Ravindra said, "Let me respond briefly in the interest of time to remarks which were obviously politically motivated and unfounded, made by one representative against my country. I categorically dismiss and condemn these baseless remarks with the contempt they deserve."

"This is nothing but another habitual attempt to divert attention from the grave violations against children that continue unabated in his own country, as highlighted in this year's Secretary General's report on children and armed conflict. As far as Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh concerned, they were, are, always, will be an integral and inalienable part of India, irrespective of what this particular representative or his country believes or wishes," he added.

His remarks came after Pakistan's representative in his remarks during the UNSC debate made references to Jammu and Kashmir.

During the UNSC debate, R Ravindra said that the annual debate over the years has brought to the notice the challenges faced by children in situations of armed conflict and helped the international community recognize the importance of preventing violations against children.

The Indian envoy said, "This year marks 25 years since the adoption of Security Council Resolution 1261 on children and armed conflict. Over the years, the annual debate has brought to fore the challenges faced by children in situations of armed conflict and helped the international community to recognize the importance of preventing and ending violations against children."

"Towards this end, we greatly appreciate the work of the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General. However, there remains much progress to be made with the changing landscape of armed conflicts and the varied nature of vulnerabilities that children face," he added.

He noted that the magnitude and severity of grave violations against children in armed conflict situations is a "matter of deep concern." He stressed that the abuse, exploitation, sexual violence, and other grave violations against children committed by terrorists need greater focus and determined action.

R Ravindra said, "This year's SGS report presents a sobering account of the escalating threats faced by children in the conflict zones. Terrorists and armed groups continue to commit the majority of the violations. In this context, let me make the following five points. National governments have the primary responsibility for protecting the rights of the child as mandated by the Convention on the Rights of the Child."

"We continue to encourage Member States to ratify the optional protocol to the Convention on Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict and to adopt robust legal frameworks for the protection and promotion of child rights. The abuse, exploitation, sexual violence, and other grave violations against children committed by terrorists need greater focus and determined action," he added.

He said that children are particularly vulnerable to indoctrination through violent extremist ideologies designed to foment terrorism and stressed that this challenge can only be overcome by resolute actions by the government on whose territory such entities operate.

R Ravindra said, "The importance of quality education and skill development to mitigate negative consequences cannot be overemphasized. Use of digital tools to provide education, vocational training and psychosocial support open up new opportunities for children in conflict situations."

"Protecting schools, especially girls' schools and health care facilities and its personnel must be accorded priority. There is a need for a more inclusive approach to provide protection to child victims of armed conflicts. Those children who face relocation and reintegration require special attention. Children who grow up in conflict and post-conflict situations often need a fresh start," he added.

He said that India recognizes the importance of having sufficient resources and a requisite number of child protection advisors in peacekeeping missions for effective child protection programs. In his remarks, Ravindra expressed India's firm commitment to supporting the UN in its endeavours to protect children in situations of armed conflict.

The Indian envoy said, "The right to a joyful childhood leading to a life full of opportunities is a fundamental right of every child. The health, education, and creative abilities of our children and young people will determine the well-being and strength of humanity. Children are the future of the world. Let me conclude by reiterating India's firm commitment to supporting the UN in its endeavours to protect children in situations of armed conflict."