Dateline: New York | September 30, 2025
Lead
India launched a sharp counterattack against Pakistan at the United Nations this week, accusing Islamabad of persecuting minorities and “weaponizing terrorism” while attempting to lecture others on human rights. The remarks came during debates at both the UN General Assembly (UNGA) and the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), where Pakistan raised the Kashmir issue yet again.
India’s Response
Exercising its right of reply, India’s Permanent Mission to the UN dismissed Pakistan’s allegations as “false, fabricated, and motivated.”
First Secretary Seema Pujari said:
“It is deeply ironic that a country with one of the world’s worst human rights records speaks of rights and justice. Minorities in Pakistan live in fear, their numbers have dwindled, and forced conversions continue unabated.”
She also accused Pakistan of sheltering globally designated terrorists and using its soil to launch cross-border attacks. “No amount of propaganda can hide the fact that Pakistan remains the epicenter of terrorism,” she declared.
Pakistan’s Allegations
Earlier, Pakistan’s representative had accused India of “systematic violations” in Jammu and Kashmir, alleging that the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 had “stripped Kashmiris of autonomy and rights.” Pakistan also attempted to draw attention to alleged restrictions on media freedom and internet shutdowns in Kashmir.
However, India countered that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and that democratic processes — including assembly elections and grassroots participation — were proof of its progress.
Broader Context
The latest war of words comes against a backdrop of heightened global scrutiny of human rights amid conflicts in Gaza, Myanmar, and Ukraine. While Pakistan has repeatedly sought to internationalize the Kashmir issue, India has consistently argued that the matter is internal and bilateral, not one for multilateral forums.
Observers note that this pattern has played out for decades: Pakistan raises Kashmir at nearly every UN session, and India rebuts with references to terrorism and minority persecution in Pakistan.
Minority Rights in Focus
India’s response this time placed particular emphasis on Pakistan’s treatment of its minorities, including Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, and Ahmadis.
Quoting reports from international watchdogs, India highlighted cases of forced abductions and conversions of Hindu and Christian girls, desecration of Sikh gurdwaras, and the constitutional exclusion of Ahmadis from being recognized as Muslims.
“Pakistan’s record is not just poor, it is abysmal,” Pujari said. “Its minorities have been reduced to second-class citizens, living under constant fear of blasphemy laws.”
Expert Views
UN experts and analysts suggest that India’s sharper focus on Pakistan’s minority record marks a strategic shift.
Dr. Aparna Pande, a South Asia expert, observed:
“India is no longer on the defensive at international forums. It is actively flipping the narrative, using Pakistan’s own vulnerabilities — terrorism and minority persecution — to blunt its attacks.”
Others note that this approach resonates with Western governments increasingly concerned about global terrorism and religious persecution.
Domestic Political Angle
Back home, India’s firm stance at the UN was praised by leaders across party lines. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar hailed the delegation’s “clear and uncompromising” rebuttal, while BJP leaders said it showcased India’s “newfound diplomatic confidence.”
However, opposition leaders such as the Congress’s Shashi Tharoor cautioned against “complacency,” arguing that India must also ensure its own human rights record is beyond reproach.
Implications for India-Pakistan Relations
Diplomatic ties between the two nuclear-armed neighbours remain frozen, with no bilateral dialogue since 2019. Analysts say such UN confrontations only deepen the stalemate.
“Neither side is budging. For Pakistan, Kashmir is a domestic political necessity. For India, countering terrorism is a non-negotiable priority. This cycle is unlikely to break soon,” said former diplomat G. Parthasarathy.
Conclusion
India’s latest rebuttal at the UN underscores a familiar pattern but also signals a bolder strategy: turning the spotlight on Pakistan’s own domestic failures while refusing to engage on Kashmir in multilateral settings. While the exchange may change little on the ground, it reaffirms that for both nations, international forums remain as much about messaging to domestic audiences as about diplomacy.
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