Right of Reply by India at the 37^th Session of Human Rights Council (26 February-23 March 2018) in response to the Statement made by Pakistan under the High Level Segment, delivered by Ms. Mini Devi Kumam, Second Secretary, Permanent Mission of India. [Geneva, 28 February 2018]

Madam Vice President,

My delegation would like to exercise the right of reply to the statement made by Pakistan. We have noted, without surprise, the remarks made by the Member of Pakistan’s esteemed Senate Foreign Relations Committee. This is not for the first time that Pakistan has used the Council to misrepresent facts by using false narratives on the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir.

2. Pakistan has had territorial ambitions over Kashmir since 1947 that were clearly manifested in the aggressions it embarked on in 1947, 1965 and 1999. Pakistan remains in illegal and forcible occupation of a large area in the State of Jammu and Kashmir, which is an integral part of India.

3. The main reason for disturbances in Jammu and Kashmir is cross-border terrorism, systematically supported, promoted and abetted by Pakistan. It is most unfortunate that despite repeated attempts by India to develop normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan, terrorism has remained a central element of Pakistan’s state policy.

4. Pakistan’s efforts to rake up Jammu & Kashmir in this forum are for purely propagandist objectives. The Council should be aware of the blatant abuses and violations of human rights in the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and in parts of Pakistan, including Baluchistan, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The situation there is adversely impacting the stability of the entire region.

5. Jammu and Kashmir is an inseparable part of India and will always remain so. It is our sincere hope that Pakistan sees reason for its own good and does not deflect the world’s attention from its own very serious problems created by using terrorism as a legitimate tool of governance.

6. Pakistan keeps referring to UN Security Council Resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir. However, it very conveniently forgets its own obligation under these resolutions to first vacate the illegal occupation of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. It has also blatantly disregarded its other commitments, be it under the 1972 Simla Agreement and Lahore Declaration of February 1999.

7. As regards the OIC statement, it contains incorrect and misleading references to matters internal to India, including the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, which is an integral part of India. India out rightly rejects all such references. The OIC has no locus standi on India’s internal affairs. We urge the OIC not to waste valuable time of this august forum by meddling in India’s internal affairs.

Thank you.