Jammu and Kashmir will remain an integral part of India for ever, and the world should act against countries that shelter terrorists, India told the Human Rights Council on Wednesday.
Pakistan demands lifting of communication blockade, release of Kashmiri political leaders
Speaking at the 43rd Session of the Human Rights Council Vikas Swarup, Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs, highlighted India’s heritage of non-violence, and claimed that India believed in inclusive development.
Grassroots play
“Jammu and Kashmir was, is and shall forever remain an integral part of India. The transformative changes wrought by our Parliament last August were meant to strengthen the integration of the State, including to give fullest play to representative government from the grassroots level upward,” said Mr. Swarup presenting the National Statement of India at the High Level Segment during the 43rd Session of the Human Rights Council.
Pakistan has been consistently critical of India’s decision to end the special status of Kashmir and has raised the issue in multiple platforms of the UN since last August. But the Indian official pointed out that cross-border terrorism from Pakistan poses a grave challenge to India.
"Pakistan also felt it necessary to offer advice and warnings about the situation within India. To paraphrase the poet Robert Burns, someone should give them the power to see themselves as others see them," said Mr Swarup.
Mr. Swarup also pointed that terrorism is the "most pernicious violation" of the Right to Life.
"As a nation that has suffered for decades from cross-border terrorism, India calls for decisive action against those who direct, control, fund, abet or shelter terrorists," said the official stating India's position.
