: India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Parvathaneni Harish on Friday reacted strongly against Pakistan’s claims and statements on Jammu and Kashmir. While reading out India’s statement at a UN meeting on the occasion of International Day against Islamophobia, she highlighted Pakistan’s record on terrorism and made it clear that Jammu and Kashmir has always been and will always be an integral part of India.

Harish said, “As is the custom, Pakistan’s former foreign secretary today made an inappropriate reference to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Repeated references will not prove the truth of their claims and will not justify their practice of cross-border terrorism. The record of this country’s extremist mentality is well known. Such attempts cannot change the fact that Jammu and Kashmir has always been and will always be an integral part of India.”

India has rejected Islamabad’s allegations, calling Pakistan a sponsor of terrorism. “The world knows very well where the real epicentre of global terrorism is,” Harish asserted, adding that India is a country of diversity and pluralism. “India is home to over 200 million Muslims, one of the largest Muslim-majority countries in the world. We stand united with the member states of the United Nations to condemn the incidents of religious intolerance against Muslims.”

Earlier, Pakistan had blamed India for the hijacking of the Zafar Express train in Balochistan. Initially, it blamed Afghanistan for the incident, but later targeted India. Responding to the allegation, Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement, “India rejects Pakistan’s baseless allegations. The world knows where the epicentre of terrorism is. It should stop pointing fingers at others to cover up its own internal failures. Pakistan should introspect and focus on improving the situation in its own country. The whole world knows who spreads terrorism.”

Harish’s statement at the UN has once again highlighted India’s strong stance. India has repeatedly criticized Islamabad’s role on the international stage, accusing Pakistan of cross-border terrorism. Harish’s statement made it clear that there was no compromise on Jammu and Kashmir remaining a part of India. The incident is another reflection of the long-standing tension between India and Pakistan at the United Nations.