Global epicentre of terrorism: India counters Pak at UNSC

India strongly rebuked Pakistan at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Wednesday after Islamabad raised the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. In response, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish, termed Pakistan the “global epicentre of terrorism”, accusing it of harbouring over 20 UN-designated terrorist entities and sponsoring cross-border terrorism.

The exchange took place during a UNSC debate on “Practicing Multilateralism, Reforming and Improving Global Governance”, chaired by China. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister and Deputy PM Mohammed Ishaq Dar described Jammu and Kashmir as an “open wound” and a “menace” to international peace. He claimed that the region had suffered “brutal foreign occupation” for nearly eight decades and that its people had been denied their right to self-determination as per multiple UN Security Council resolutions.

India swiftly countered these remarks, with Ambassador Harish saying, “Pakistan is a global epicentre of terrorism, harbouring more than 20 UN-listed terrorist entities and providing state support to cross-border terrorism. It is a supreme irony when Pakistan pats itself on the back as being at the forefront of the fight against terrorism.”

He emphasised that India has been a victim of terrorism orchestrated by Pakistan-based groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed and Harkat-ul-Mujahideen. Harish also urged Pakistan to stop wasting the UNSC’s time with “misinformation and disinformation”, reiterating that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India, while Pakistan’s presence in the region amounts to “illegal occupation”.

Highlighting democratic participation in Jammu and Kashmir, Harish asserted that its citizens actively engage in governance, unlike in Pakistan.

“The choice of the people of Jammu and Kashmir was loud and clear. Democracy in J&K is vibrant and strong, unlike in Pakistan,” he said.

India also said countries opposing expansion in the UN body’s permanent membership are status quoists with a narrow focus and “non-progressive” approach, asserting that this “can no longer be accepted”.

“The Global South cannot continue to be short-changed. India and major players in other parts of the world deserve their due representation in the structures of the United Nations. As regards Security Council, this translates to permanent category membership,” Harish said.