India responds firmly to Pakistan's Kashmir remarks at UNGA

New Delhi, Sep 29: In a forceful rebuttal at the 79th UN General Assembly External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar took a direct aim at Pakistan, countering the country’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's remarks on Jammu and Kashmir. Responding to Sharif's narrative, which sought to portray Kashmir as a conflict akin to Palestine and criticised India's 2019 decision to abrogate Article 370, Jaishankar used the platform to highlight India’s stance and criticise Pakistan's role in fostering cross-border terrorism.

"Many countries get left behind due to circumstances beyond their control. But some make conscious choices with disastrous consequences. A premier example is our neighbour, Pakistan," Jaishankar stated. Jaishankar, without denouncing Pakistan’s policies, blamed its leadership for radicalising its own population and exporting terrorism. "When this polity instils such fanaticism among its people, its GDP can only be measured in terms of radicalisation, and its exports in the form of terrorism. Today, we see the ills it sought to visit on others consume its own society. It can’t blame the world; this is only karma," Jaishankar added, using the concept of karma to emphasise the consequences of Pakistan's actions.

Jaishankar's remarks came after Shehbaz Sharif, in his speech a day earlier, had once again raised the Kashmir issue, calling for the reversal of India's decision to abrogate Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. Sharif described the situation in Kashmir as a “century-long struggle” for freedom and self-determination, drawing parallels with the Palestinian cause. He further asserted that for any peace to be durable, "India must reverse the unilateral and illegal measures of August 2019 and enter into a dialogue for a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir issue."

In his sharp response, Jaishankar firmly rejected these assertions, stating, “A dysfunctional nation coveting the lands of others must be exposed and must be countered. We heard some bizarre assertions from it at this forum yesterday. So let me make India’s position perfectly clear.” He left no ambiguity about India's view on the matter, highlighting that the only issue left to be resolved between the two nations was the vacation of "illegally occupied Indian territory by Pakistan," alongside the abandonment of Pakistan's deep-rooted attachment to terrorism.

Hours before Jaishankar’s speech, India had exercised its Right of Reply at the UN General Assembly, where Bhavika Mangalanandan, India’s First Secretary at the Permanent Mission to the UN, delivered a sharp rebuttal to Sharif’s address. Mangalanandan accused Pakistan of being a country "run by the military," with a global reputation for "terrorism, narcotics, and transnational crime." In a strong account, she remarked, "This assembly regrettably witnessed a travesty this morning. A country run by the military, with a global reputation for terrorism, narcotics trade, and transnational crime has had the audacity to attack the world’s largest democracy."

Pakistan’s long-standing support for terrorism has been a central point of contention in its relations with India. Mangalanandan emphasised that Pakistan has "long employed cross-border terrorism as a weapon against its neighbours" and cited examples of attacks on India's parliament, financial hub Mumbai, and other civilian areas. "The list is long," she added, reminding the global forum of Pakistan's track record of fostering terrorism.

Moving beyond the regional focus, Jaishankar’s speech covered a wide range of global issues, reflecting India's perspective on multilateralism and international challenges. He stressed the need for the reform of global institutions like the UN, pointing out that the current system is failing to address pressing global challenges such as conflict, terrorism, and development. "The world is yet to recover from the ravages of the Covid pandemic. A war in Ukraine is well into its third year. The conflict in Gaza is acquiring wider ramifications," Jaishankar said, framing the state of global affairs as deeply polarized and fractured.

Jaishankar pointed out that many countries, especially in the Global South, were struggling to meet their development goals due to unfair trade practices, rising debt, and the impact of climate change. "Unfair trade practices threaten jobs, just as unviable projects raise debt levels. Any connectivity that flouts sovereignty and territorial integrity acquires strategic connotations," he noted, a statement that can be seen as an indirect criticism of initiatives like China’s Belt and Road project, which has been criticised for pushing smaller nations into debt traps.

India's role as a leader in the Global South was a central theme in Jaishankar's speech. He highlighted India's efforts in supporting the vulnerable sections of its population, women, farmers, and youth through targeted policies and digital initiatives. He cited examples of the government's efforts to provide piped water, electricity, and financial support directly to citizens, noting the transformative power of these programs. "A digital public infrastructure and a people’s pharmacy are today examples of what India can readily offer to the world. It is also an alternative vision where technology is used to empower, not to dominate," Jaishankar said.

He further underlined India’s commitment to supporting other developing nations by organising Global South summits and contributing to global commons. "We have convened three Global South Summits, the most recent in August 2024," he said, emphasising the need for developing nations to come together and voice their shared concerns.

Reflecting on the future, Jaishankar reiterated that India's quest for a "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India) will have global implications and will be followed closely by the international community. India’s achievements in space exploration, fintech, and vaccine distribution were highlighted as symbols of the country’s growing stature on the global stage. "When India lands on the moon, rolls out its own 5G stack, dispatches vaccines worldwide, embraces fintech or houses so many Global Capability Centres, there is a message here," he stated.

Jaishankar called for a transformation in how the world approaches global problems, urging for greater cooperation and emphasizing the role of the UN in fostering peace and development. "The UN is a testimony to the agreed principles and shared objectives of the world order. Respect for international law and commitments are among the foremost in that regard," he said. He also reiterated India’s strong stance against terrorism, declaring that "all its forms and manifestations must be resolutely opposed," and urged that the sanctioning of global terrorists should not be impeded for political reasons.