India on Tuesday strongly rejected Pakistan’s comments on Jammu and Kashmir during an Arria-formula meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), asserting that the Union Territory remains an internal matter of India and is not subject to international discussion.
India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, made the remarks while addressing a meeting titled “Bridging the Implementation Gap: UNSC Resolutions and Maintenance of International Peace and Security.”
India Criticises Attempt to Politicise Forum
Responding to observations made by Pakistan’s representative during the discussion, Harish said it was inappropriate to introduce political issues unrelated to the meeting’s agenda.
Referring to Pakistan’s intervention, the Indian envoy described the remarks as “unwarranted” and criticised what he viewed as an attempt to politicise a forum intended to discuss the implementation of Security Council resolutions.
Harish also questioned the conduct of the meeting’s co-chair, stating that a platform expected to remain balanced and impartial should not be used for political purposes.
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Jammu and Kashmir an Internal Matter, Says India
Reaffirming New Delhi’s longstanding position, Harish said Jammu and Kashmir remains strictly an internal matter of India.
“The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is a matter strictly internal to India,” he said during his intervention.
He further stressed that India’s position on the issue has remained unchanged and would continue to remain so.
Focus on UN Security Council Mandates
During the broader discussion, Harish primarily addressed issues related to the implementation of United Nations Security Council resolutions and the functioning of mediation frameworks under the UN Charter.
He highlighted the distinction between Chapters VI and VII of the Charter and argued that mediation mechanisms created under specific circumstances should be periodically reviewed to reflect changing realities.
According to the Indian envoy, Security Council mandates should evolve in line with contemporary challenges and broader UN reform efforts.
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India and Pakistan Reiterate Divergent Positions
The exchange once again highlighted the differing positions maintained by India and Pakistan on Jammu and Kashmir at international forums.
While Pakistan continues to raise the issue at multilateral platforms, India has consistently maintained that matters related to Jammu and Kashmir fall within its sovereign jurisdiction and are not subject to external mediation.
The remarks came at the conclusion of the Arria-formula meeting, an informal UNSC format used to facilitate discussions on issues concerning international peace and security.
