Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif raised their voice on the issue of the abrogation of Article 370 and the Kashmir issue during his recent visit to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
On hearing this, India reacted very sharply. The Indian-governed portion of Muslim-majority Jammu and Kashmir lost its special status in 2019.
India’s First Secretary to the UN, Bhavika Mangalanandan, accused Pakistan of using terrorism as a tool of statecraft. She referenced the 2001 attack on the Indian parliament and the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks as examples.
She also said that the world must rise in unison against terrorism, and Pakistan was known for sponsoring terrorism.
In addition, India also said that Pakistan had an interventionist role within the region and accused Pakistan of being a military junta and not a civilian government.
Besides this, India also put forward a remark that Pakistan should not involve its neighbor in such allegations of terrorism and find a solution to its internal problems.
A view of Shehbaz Sharif’s statements
In his UNGA address, Pakistan’s Premier Shehbaz Sharif condemned India’s decision to revoke Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019. He expressed regret over the move, claiming it violated international law and human rights. According to Sharif, the revocation has only worsened the situation in Kashmir, escalating tensions in the region.
Sharif also called on global powers to mediate the Kashmir dispute. He reiterated Pakistan’s stance that Kashmir remains a disputed territory, which should be resolved through diplomatic and peaceful means in accordance with the UN charter. This appeal for international involvement contrasted with Pakistan’s long-standing position.
Additionally, Sharif accused India of establishing a significant military presence in Kashmir and suppressing the voices of the Kashmiri people. He emphasized the need for the world to focus on the Kashmir issue and urged international support for the region while alleging India’s ongoing mistreatment of the Kashmiri population.
Status after abrogating Article 370
In 2019, Article 370 was abolished, bringing major changes to Jammu and Kashmir. The region, once granted special autonomy, was reorganized into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. This meant Indian laws now applied uniformly, and the region lost powers over areas like property rights and governance.
While discussions on development and integration followed, concerns about rights and rising tensions also emerged. Security remains a focus, given the region’s historically unstable situation.
India’s response to Pakistan’s claims
India reacted sharply over Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif going on a rant on Article 370 and Kashmir at the UNGA. Jammu and Kashmir is completely an internal affair of India, underlined the Indian logic and territories claiming that no one has any right to interfere in Indian internal affairs.
India’s representative dismissed Pakistan’s concerns and said that by taking a bilateral issue on the international level, Pakistan wants to mislead the council on the issue of Kashmir to hide its ailing issues like terrorism and political instabilities. India raised questions about why Pakistan has been hosting and supporting terrorists in the past.
Moreover, India objected to the military’s role in the Pakistani government and asked it to sort out its own problems instead of leveling allegations against India.
India strongly replied, saying that unless Pakistan stops supporting cross-border terrorism, it will ‘‘inevitably attract consequences.’’
Pakistan tried to counter India’s allegations of cross-border terrorism by arguing that India was misusing the FATF platform for political gains.
This Assembly witnessed an insult this morning, enduring a mockery of a show. Ms. Mangalanandan stated that a country ruled by the military, known globally as a hub for terrorism, narcotics trade, and transnational crimes, dared to attack the world’s largest democracy. She concluded by saying, “The world can now see for itself what Pakistan truly is.”
India urges Pakistan to focus on tackling terrorism
The country has asked Pakistan to focus on terrorism rather than blabs over the Kashmir issue. India voiced concern over the repeated support provided by Pakistan for terrorism after the recent speech of Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, at the United Nations General Assembly.
Indian officials stated that Pakistan must combat terrorism within its borders. They urged Pakistan to avoid interfering with India and its neighbors. Numerous terrorist groups in Pakistan pose a threat to its citizens and neighboring countries. India emphasized Pakistan’s responsibility in controlling these groups.
Officials insisted that peace and growth in the region depend on Pakistan’s efforts to eliminate terrorism. They criticized Pakistan for prioritizing talks over action against terrorism. India believes that if Pakistan takes serious steps, it can contribute to regional peace and stability.