During the 55th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council, India made a strong rebuttal to Pakistan and Turkey regarding remarks on New Delhi and the status of Jammu and Kashmir. Anupama Singh, First Secretary at the Council, exercised India’s ‘Right of Reply’ to Pakistan’s statements. She condemned Pakistan for its systemic persecution of minorities and criticized it for having an egregious human rights record. Singh emphasized that the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral parts of India, that matters related to this region are a domestic affair, and that Pakistan has no standing to comment on these internal matters.
Singh castigated Pakistan for its treatment of minorities, specifically citing the massive attack on the Christian community in Jaranwala in August 2023, where churches and Christian homes were destroyed. She also lambasted Pakistan for harboring terrorists sanctioned by the United Nations Security Council. Furthermore, Singh highlighted three significant issues associated with Pakistan, referred to as the ‘three reds’: terrorism sponsorship, a debt-laden economy, and a government that fails to address the needs of its people.
India also issued a warning to Turkey, advising against unwanted commentary on India’s internal affairs, specifically concerning Jammu and Kashmir. Previously, in August, India had expressed the necessity for an environment free from terror for normalizing relations with Pakistan. Foreign Minister S Jaishankar emphasized that Pakistan’s future depends on its own actions, especially relating to resolving its economic hardship marked by falling forex reserves and escalating inflation.