India Criticises Pakistan at UN: Accusations of Terrorism Persist

India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Parvathaneni Harish, delivered a strong rebuke to Pakistan during a recent Security Council meeting, accusing the neighbouring nation of perpetuating harm against India. His comments came in response to remarks made by Pakistan's ambassador, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, who sought to highlight what he referred to as a "new normal" in regional dynamics, including references to Operation Sindoor and issues surrounding Jammu and Kashmir.

During his address, Harish stated, "I now respond to the comments of the representative of Pakistan, an elected member of the Security Council, which has a single-point agenda to harm my country and my people. He has advanced a false and self-serving account of Operation Sindoor in May last year." He asserted that the Pakistani military had contacted India on May 10, 2025, pleading for a cessation of hostilities after India successfully targeted terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

The conflict arose following a terrorist attack on April 22, 2025, in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which left 26 people dead. Harish emphasised that evidence of the damage inflicted on Pakistani military bases, including images of destroyed facilities, is publicly available.

The Indian envoy further suggested that while Pakistan discussed the possibility of normalising relations, such talks are unacceptable when rooted in a history of terrorism. "Terrorism can never be normalised as Pakistan wishes to do. It is not normal to tolerate Pakistan's continued use of terrorism as an instrument of state policy," Harish stated, asserting that the UN should not serve as a platform for legitimising terrorism.

Documents from a military analysis based in Switzerland support India's narrative, indicating that Pakistan's military sought a ceasefire due to overwhelming pressure from India's air power during the brief conflict. Pakistan has claimed it successfully targeted Indian airbases and shot down several Indian aircraft; however, Indian authorities have consistently dismissed these assertions as misinformation.

In his address, Harish also reiterated India's stance on Jammu and Kashmir, declaring it an "integral and inalienable part of India," while condemning Pakistan's interference in India's internal matters. Additionally, he touched upon the Indus Waters Treaty, citing that it was established in good faith, yet has been undermined by Pakistan's actions.

"Throughout the six and a half decades, Pakistan has violated the spirit of the treaty by inflicting three wars and thousands of terror attacks on India," Harish remarked, underscoring that India would only consider resuming the treaty once Pakistan ceases its support for transnational terrorism.

In a closing critique, Harish dissected Pakistan's constitutional developments, referencing the 27th Amendment that granted lifetime immunity to its Chief of Defence Forces, Asim Munir. He suggested that Pakistan should reflect on how its armed forces orchestrated this constitutional coup. This amendment, which raised Asim Munir to the position of Field Marshal, has drawn criticism regarding the political and military governance in Pakistan.

The recent exchange at the UN illustrates the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, particularly concerning issues of terrorism and military disputes. Both nations continue to engage on international platforms, with each side accusing the other of misconduct and undermining peace efforts in the region.