First Right of Reply by India under Agenda 3 at the 40th Session of the Human Rights Council (25 February-22 March 2019) delivered by Sh. Animesh Choudhury, First Secretary on 08th March 2019.

Madam Vice President,

    India exercises its right of reply to Pakistan’s malicious propaganda. Pakistan’s only objective in the Council is spreading false narratives against India to divert the attention of the world from its own dismal human rights record.

2. Jammu and Kashmir in an integral part of India and will always remain so. Pakistan’s territorial ambitions over Kashmir since 1947 were found concrete expression in the aggression it embarked on in 1947, 1965 and 1999. As on date, Pakistan is in illegal and forcible occupation of approximately 78,000 sq kms of Indian Territory in Jammu and Kashmir.

3. The real problem in the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir is cross border terrorism supported, sustained and perpetuated by Pakistan. We are dealing with a state that regards the use of terrorism as a legitimate instrument of statecraft and provides sanctuary to UN-designated terrorists. The consequences of Pakistan’s actions have spread beyond its immediate neighbors and the international community has finally begun to realize the dangers of Pakistan’s dalliance with terror. India is firmly and resolutely committed to taking all necessary measures to fight the menace of terrorism. This commitment was reflected in our non-military preemptive action on 26 February that specifically targeted the Jaish-e-Mohammad camp based in Pakistan. Pakistan’s trust in the methods of terror is so deep that it does not hesitate from using them on its own people in Baluchistan, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This coupled with the utter disregard for the human rights of religious and sectarian minorities has turned Pakistan into the true epicenter of global terror.  

4. India totally rejects any reference of the OHCHR report on Kashmir that reflected individual malice and prejudice. Pakistan is reminded that the principle of self-determination is applicable to colonial territories. The principles of self-determination espoused by Pakistan pose severe dangers to several countries in the world where multi-ethnic and multi-religious societies coexist.  

5. Pakistan will be well-advised to focus its energies on setting its own house in order and acting against the perpetrators of terrorist attacks on its neighbours instead of ritually raking up alleged human rights violations elsewhere. We, once again, ask Pakistan to stop inciting and supporting violence and terrorism in any part of India and refrain from meddling in our internal affairs in any manner. 

Thank you, Madam Vice President.

*************