UNITED NATIONS, Oct 25: India has accused Pakistan of using the United Nations to spread propaganda against New Delhi and divert attention from its domestic challenges, asserting that the Pakistani military remains the country’s “real rulers” and exercises overriding influence over its government.
During an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues at the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee on Saturday, First Secretary at India’s Permanent Mission to the UN, Raghoo Puri, criticised Islamabad for attempting to portray India negatively while grappling with economic distress, lawlessness and human rights violations.
“What better way to deflect attention from a flailing economy, general lawlessness, and rampant human rights violations from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to Balochistan,” Puri said.
Referring to Pakistan’s ruling dispensation as the “Form 47 government”, a term used by critics amid allegations of irregularities in the February 2024 general elections, he said the government could not override the instructions of the military.
“But we do understand, unfortunately, that the Form 47 government dare not override instructions from the Pakistani military,” he said, adding that the interests of the armed forces took precedence.
Puri also questioned Pakistan’s record on minority rights, pointing out that the country’s minority populations had declined significantly since independence. He urged Islamabad to address its internal challenges and prioritise the welfare of its citizens instead of targeting India at international forums.
Rejecting Pakistan’s claims on Jammu and KashmirPuri reiterated that the Union Territory is an integral and inalienable part of India. He maintained that the only outstanding issue was the vacation of territories under Pakistan’s illegal occupation.
“We would urge the Pakistani delegate to heed the counsel of her own countrymen, look inwards and focus on the well-being of her own citizens first,” he said.
Addressing the Special Rapporteur’s report on minority issues, Puri said India agreed that protecting and promoting minority rights was primarily the sovereign responsibility of individual countries.
He emphasised that internal matters should be addressed in accordance with each country’s laws and regulations, while expressing India’s readiness for open and candid discussions in multilateral forums.
Highlighting India’s diversity, Puri described the country as the world’s most multi-religious, multi-ethnic and multilingual society, saying diversity had remained central to its civilisation.
He pointed to constitutional safeguards for religious and linguistic minorities and their contributions to India’s economic, social and cultural development, including in constitutional offices, government institutions, the armed forces, law enforcement, cinema and the corporate sector.
Criticising Pakistan’s record, Puri said he was “hard-pressed” to find comparable examples from the neighbouring country. (Agencies)