India issued a sharp rebuttal to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharifs remarks on Jammu and Kashmir at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), calling his statement “hypocrisy at its worst.” This came shortly after Sharif once again racked up the Kashmir issue during his address at the General Debate of the 79th session of the UNGA on Friday.Exercising its Right of Reply, Indian diplomat Bhavika Mangalanandan condemned Sharifs comments, accusing Pakistan of using terrorism as a tool against its neighbors. This assembly regrettably witnessed a travesty this morning. I speak about the reference to India in the speech of the Pakistani PM. As the world knows, Pakistan has long employed cross-border terrorism as a weapon against its neighbors,” Mangalanandan stated.She went on to criticize Pakistans internal issues, including its history of rigged elections and its global reputation for terrorism and narcotics trafficking. “For such a country to speak about violence anywhere is hypocrisy at its worst,” she added.#WATCH | At UNGA Indian diplomat Bhavika Mangalanandan replies to Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif, says, This assembly regrettably witnessed a travesty this morning. A country run by the military, with a global reputation for terrorism, narcotics, trade and transnational crime has… pic.twitter.com/ZpHxE6a5Py— ANI (@ANI) September 28, 2024Pakistan covets our territoryIndia reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the country and accused Pakistan of using terrorism to disrupt elections in the region. “The real truth is that Pakistan covets our territory and has continuously used terrorism to disrupt elections in Jammu and Kashmir,” Mangalanandan emphasized.India also warned Pakistan that cross-border terrorism will not go unanswered. “Pakistan should realize that cross-border terrorism against India will inevitably invite consequences,” Mangalanandan said. She further highlighted Pakistans alleged involvement in global terrorist incidents, saying the country continues to harbor extremist elements.Sharifs Remarks at UNGAIn his address, Prime Minister Sharif raised the Kashmir issue, referencing Article 370, which India abrogated in 2019, and Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani. He urged India to reverse the revocation of Article 370 and called for a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue in line with UN Security Council resolutions.Sharif drew a comparison between Kashmir and Palestine, claiming both peoples are struggling for self-determination. He also accused India of targeting Muslims and escalating Islamophobia, saying that a Hindu supremacist agenda in India seeks to subjugate its Muslim population.Indias firm standIt is important to note that India has consistently maintained that Jammu and Kashmir, along with Ladakh, are integral parts of the country. Despite Pakistans repeated attempts to internationalize the Kashmir issue, India continues to stand firm, dismissing Pakistans claims as unfounded.
