Right of Reply by India under Agenda Item 4 – General Debate at the 57th Session of the Human Rights Council (9 September - 11 October 2024), delivered by Mr. Gaurav Kumar Thakur, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of India, Geneva, 26 September 2024

Mr. President,

    As much as we dislike the time of the Council getting wasted, we cannot remain silent in the face of continued abuse of this platform by a country that spreads malicious falsehoods about India and now sees fit to interfere in our internal affairs. Our position on Jammu & Kashmir has been clearly articulated several times, including in the current session of the Council.

2. The idea of having peaceful, free and fair elections is obviously alien to the delegation of this country, which is not used to free and fair elections, and where the Governments do not represent the will of the people but selected by powerful institutions.

3. This delegation should perhaps listen to one of their Senators, who, a few months back, wistfully acknowledged the strength and legitimacy of Indian election process from their Parliament’s floor, when comparing it with their own floundering and managed election process.

Mr. President,

4. In fact, Jammu and Kashmir voted in second phase of assembly elections only yesterday and a contingent of diplomatic corps were in Jammu and Kashmir to witness the festival of democracy.

I thank you.