India Slams Pakistan For Misusing UN Forum To Raise Kashmir Issue

NEW YORK- India has slammed Pakistan for misusing its position as co-chair of a UN forum to raise political issues instead of maintaining the neutrality expected of the role.

“The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is a matter strictly internal to India. It always has been, is, and will remain so,” India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, P. Harish, said on June 23 at an informal meeting of the UN Security Council.

“It is incredible that a co-Chair expected to be balanced and unbiased in conduct, has chosen to politicize this forum,” he added.

The meeting on “Bridging the Implementation Gap: Security Council Resolutions and Maintenance of International Peace and Security” was jointly convened by China and Pakistan, with their ambassadors serving as co-chairs.

Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, raised the Kashmir issue during the discussion, prompting India’s response.

Harish reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir is an internal matter of India and criticized Pakistan for using the forum to advance its political agenda.

India also pointed out that Pakistan itself has failed to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 47 of April 1948, which called for the withdrawal of Pakistani forces, security personnel and civilians from areas of Kashmir occupied after the invasion.

The forum was held under the Arria Formula format, an informal UN Security Council meeting mechanism that allows participation by member states, officials, organizations and individuals.

During the discussion, Harish also called for periodic reviews of Security Council mandates to ensure they remain relevant to changing circumstances and realities. (IANS)