India has once again firmly rejected Pakistans repeated references to Jammu and Kashmir at the United Nations, asserting that the region “was, is, and will always be an integral part of India.” New Delhi condemned Islamabad for using the international platform to further its parochial and divisive agenda.

Speaking at the Security Council, Indias Permanent Representative to the U.N., Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, criticized Pakistan for attempting to divert attention from substantive discussions on peacekeeping.

India is compelled to note that the delegate of Pakistan has yet again resorted to unwarranted remarks on the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Such repeated references neither validate their illegal claims nor justify their state-sponsored cross-border terrorism, Harish stated firmly.

India went further to declare Pakistans claims over Jammu and Kashmir as “illegal” and reiterated its longstanding demand for Pakistan to vacate the region. Pakistan continues to illegally occupy the territory of Jammu and Kashmir, which it must vacate, he asserted.

Rebuffing Pakistans attempts to divert the discussion, Harish stated, We would advise Pakistan not to try to divert the attention of this forum. He clarified that India would not engage in a detailed rebuttal but ensured that its stance was well-articulated. India will refrain from exercising a more elaborate Right of Reply, he concluded.

Indias Strong Response to Pakistans Allegations

The latest rebuttal follows Pakistans former Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjuas remarks during an informal gathering marking the International Day to Combat Islamophobia. Her attempt to bring up the Kashmir issue met with a strong response from India, reflecting New Delhis consistent position on the matter.

Additionally, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) dismissed Pakistans allegations that India was involved in the recentBalochistan train hijack. We strongly reject the baseless allegations made by Pakistan. The whole world knows where the epicenter of global terrorism lies. Pakistan should look inwards instead of shifting the blame for its own internal problems and failures on to others, the MEA stated.

Indias Commitment to U.N. Peacekeeping

Amid the diplomatic exchange, Harish also highlighted Indias contributions to U.N. peacekeeping, particularly regarding womens participation. He noted that India recently organized the first-ever Conference for Women Peacekeepers from the Global South, emphasizing that women play a critical role in peacekeeping operations.

It is no longer a question of whether women can do peacekeeping. Rather, it is about whether peacekeeping can do without women, he remarked.

India reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to U.N. peacekeeping and called for Security Council reforms to make the body more reflective and representative of current geopolitical realities.