India slams Pakistan at UN over child rights abuses, cross-border terrorism

India on Tuesday launched a sharp counterattack against Pakistan at the United Nations, accusing it of being one of the “most serious violators” of the global agenda on the protection of children in armed conflict.

Delivering India’s statement on the Promotion and Protection of Rights of Children, MP Nishikant Dubey said Pakistan continues to exploit international platforms to deflect attention from its own shameful record of atrocities against children — both within its borders and beyond.

“Neighbouring Pakistan presents a contrasting example. It is a country that is one of the most serious violators of the CAAC (Children and Armed Conflict) agenda,” Dubey said.

The parliamentarian strongly condemned Pakistan’s attempt to divert global attention from the grave abuses against children within their borders, as evidenced by the 2005 report issued by the Secretary General on CAAC and by their ongoing cross-border terrorism.

Citing UN findings, Dubey said Pakistan’s forces and their terror proxies have repeatedly attacked schools — particularly girls’ schools — and health workers, besides carrying out deadly cross-border strikes that have “killed and maimed Afghan children”.

Drawing attention to Pakistan’s hand in the April 22 Pahalgam massacre, Dubey said, “If Operation Sindoor is to be mentioned, the international community has not forgotten the brutal targeted attacks carried out by Pakistan’s terrorists, including the killing of 26 innocent civilians in Pahalgam.”

He underlined that India’s air strikes under Operation Sindoor in May were a “considered and legitimate response” to dismantle terrorist infrastructure and bring perpetrators to justice.

“In contrast, Pakistan deliberately targeted children and civilians in our border areas,” he said, adding that Islamabad must “look at itself in the mirror, stop preaching on this platform and act for the welfare of children within its own borders”.

In another UN session, MP Rajeev Rai delivered India’s statement in the Second Committee on Sustainable Development and the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism.

He highlighted India’s leadership in leveraging information technology, science and culture to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while emphasising South-South cooperation with middle-income countries.

At the Sixth Committee on Crimes against Humanity, Rajya Sabha MP S Phangnon Konyak reaffirmed India’s position that states bear the “primary responsibility” for ensuring justice and accountability for grave human rights violations.

“Any legally binding treaty must respect diverse legal systems and complement existing mechanisms like the International Criminal Court,” she said, calling for a “victim-centred approach” that ensures access to justice and reparations.

She underscored that international cooperation — through mutual legal assistance, extradition and capacity-building — is essential to effectively implement global commitments.

“India remains committed to a rules-based international order, justice and accountability,” Konyak affirmed.