India gave a strong reply to Pakistan in the United Nations (UN), saying that India is a symbol of pluralism, diversity and democracy, while Pakistan reminds the world of terrorism, narrow-mindedness and tyranny. Counselor in India’s Permanent Mission to the UN Aldos Mathew Punnus on Monday exercised India’s right of reply against Pakistan in the joint general discussion on decolonization.
Punnoos said that Pakistan is misusing the UN platform by making false and baseless allegations and this is not surprising considering its past conduct. He said, “India is a symbol of pluralism, diversity and democracy. “On the contrary, Pakistan reminds the world of terrorism, narrow-mindedness and oppression, where religious and ethnic minorities and their places of worship are targeted and vandalized on a regular basis.”
“Pakistan should put its own house in order first”
India gave a strong reply after Pakistan raised the issue of Jammu and Kashmir during the debate. Punnoos said that it is important for Pakistan to first look inward and put its own house in order instead of interfering in the internal affairs of neighboring countries. The world is witness to the fact that Pakistan tries to carry out divisive activities every day. India would like to emphasize that the country’s foundation, unlike Pakistan, is built on the enduring pillar of democratic values.
Did Pakistan get a shock after seeing J&K elections?- Punnu
Punnoos said that Pakistan considers genuine democratic exercises a sham given its tainted democratic record, as its statement shows. He said, “Only last week the election results were declared in Jammu and Kashmir. In 2019, elections were held for the first time after the removal of Articles 370 and 35A. Pakistan must have been shocked to see this. He must have been pained to see that the Government of India has conducted peaceful elections in Jammu and Kashmir. Lakhs of voters of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir have expressed their views. The public exercised the right to vote and elected leadership as per the constitutional framework and universal suffrage. Obviously Pakistan would be unaware of these things.”
The list of attacks carried out by Pakistan is long
Punnoos further said that it has been Pakistan’s consistent policy to use cross-border terrorism as a weapon against its neighbours. The list of attacks carried out by Pakistan is indeed long and in India it has targeted Parliament, markets and pilgrimage routes among many other places.
