Right of Reply delivered by Hon’ble Shri Harivansh, Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha for countering Pakistani propaganda for Indian Parliamentary Delegation for 148th Assembly of Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) (23-27 March 2024), Geneva 24 March 2024

Respected Chair,

        I take the floor to reject the preposterous comments made by Pakistan against my country. India is the largest democracy in the world and I am privileged that many consider the Indian democracy a model to be emulated. Lectures by a country which has an abysmal track record of democracy is laughable, to say the least. It would have been better if Pakistan did not undermine the importance of a platform like IPU by such absurd allegations and false narratives.

2.  As regards the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, they have been and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India. No amount of rhetoric and propaganda from anyone can override this fact. Instead, Pakistan would be well advised to stop its terror factories that continue to launch countless cross-border terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir while farcically claiming to champion the cause of human rights.

3.  IPU Members are well aware that Pakistan has an established history of harboring, aiding and actively supporting terrorists. Let me recall that Osama Bin Laden, the face of global terror, was found in Pakistan. The country holds the ignoble record of hosting one of the largest number of terrorists proscribed by the UN Security Council. I trust that Pakistan will draw the correct lessons for the good of its own people.

Thank you.

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