India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Parvathaneni Harish, delivered a powerful and unrelenting rebuttal to Pakistan’s persistent claims regarding Jammu and Kashmir, calling out the neighboring country’s "fanatical mindset" and "record of bigotry." Speaking during the UN meeting to commemorate the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, Harish firmly rejected Pakistan’s remarks, asserting that Jammu and Kashmir "was, is, and will always be an integral part of India."
Harish’s statement was in response to comments made by Pakistan’s former Foreign Secretary, who once again attempted to raise the Kashmir issue in an international forum. Harish dismissed these references as habitual and unjustified, stating that no amount of repetition would lend credibility to Pakistan’s narrative or excuse its ongoing support for cross-border terrorism. He emphasized that the reality of Kashmir’s status as an integral part of India remains unchanged, regardless of Pakistan’s continued efforts to distort the truth.
India’s response came shortly after Pakistan accused New Delhi of "sponsoring terrorism." In a forceful counter, India rejected the claims, making it clear that the world is fully aware of the true "epicenter of global terrorism" — a direct reference to Pakistan’s long-standing ties to terror networks operating in the region. The exchange followed Islamabad’s attempt to indirectly implicate India in the recent Balochistan train attack, which left 21 passengers dead, though Pakistan stopped short of directly naming India.
Following Harish’s speech, the Permanent Mission of India to the UN released a statement commending his strong, unwavering remarks. The statement highlighted Harish’s emphasis on India’s long-standing tradition of diversity and pluralism. He reminded the global community that India, home to over 200 million Muslims, stands united with the United Nations in condemning acts of religious intolerance and violence against Muslims worldwide.
Harish went on to stress that India’s values are rooted in fostering a world free from religious discrimination, hatred, and violence — principles that have defined the nation’s culture for millennia. He underscored that India’s commitment to religious harmony extends beyond combating Islamophobia alone, recognizing the need to confront all forms of religiophobia affecting diverse communities around the world.
In his powerful conclusion, Harish asserted that any meaningful UN deliberation on faith must strive to unite nations rather than deepen divisions. He argued that the international community has a collective responsibility to promote understanding, empathy, and solidarity among people of different faiths. He warned against the misuse of such discussions to push political agendas or foster discord, urging global leaders to remain focused on building a more inclusive, tolerant, and compassionate world.
Harish’s speech not only reaffirmed India’s unwavering position on Jammu and Kashmir but also reinforced its moral leadership on the global stage in promoting religious tolerance, diversity, and coexistence — values that continue to define the nation’s identity in an increasingly fragmented world.
