NEW DELHI: Despite India’s diplomatic counter-manoeuvring, Pakistan is succeeding in “internationalising” the Kashmir conflict as the UN Human Rights Council on Tuesday sought access to the Valley — a demand that was turned down by New Delhi.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said he was awaiting from India a reply to his request seeking access to both sides of the LoC.
Rejecting the demand, the Ministry of External Affairs said the question of an external mission was considered by the all-party conference on August 12. “It was unanimously felt that the Indian democracy has all that is required to address legitimate grievances,” the ministry said.
India contended there can't be any comparison between Jammu & Kashmir and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, as “the former has a democratically elected government while the latter has seen a Pakistani diplomat arbitrarily appointed as its head”.
“The Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir is part of a pluralistic and secular democracy, where freedoms are guaranteed by an independent judiciary, an active media and a vibrant civil society. In contrast, PoK is administered by a ‘deep state’ and has become a hub for the global export of terror,” the statement said, adding the UNHRC chief had “conflicting narratives” on the confrontation.
India reiterated the terrorism emanating from Pakistan was the biggest threat. “The present situation arose from the death of a self-acknowledged commander of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen who was wanted for several terrorist acts. It was further aggravated by sustained cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan. Terrorism is the grossest violation of human rights and should be so acknowledged by any impartial and objective observer,” the statement said. India also underlined the “high number” of casualties sustained by security forces as a reflection of “the tremendous restraint they have displayed”.
Despite India’s diplomatic counter-manoeuvring, Pakistan is succeeding in “internationalising” the Kashmir conflict as the UN Human Rights Council on Tuesday sought access to the Valley — a demand that was turned down by New Delhi.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said he was awaiting from India a reply to his request seeking access to both sides of the LoC.
Rejecting the demand, the Ministry of External Affairs said the question of an external mission was considered by the all-party conference on August 12. “It was unanimously felt that the Indian democracy has all that is required to address legitimate grievances,” the ministry said.
India contended there can't be any comparison between Jammu & Kashmir and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, as “the former has a democratically elected government while the latter has seen a Pakistani diplomat arbitrarily appointed as its head”.
“The Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir is part of a pluralistic and secular democracy, where freedoms are guaranteed by an independent judiciary, an active media and a vibrant civil society. In contrast, PoK is administered by a ‘deep state’ and has become a hub for the global export of terror,” the statement said, adding the UNHRC chief had “conflicting narratives” on the confrontation.
India reiterated the terrorism emanating from Pakistan was the biggest threat. “The present situation arose from the death of a self-acknowledged commander of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen who was wanted for several terrorist acts. It was further aggravated by sustained cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan. Terrorism is the grossest violation of human rights and should be so acknowledged by any impartial and objective observer,” the statement said. India also underlined the “high number” of casualties sustained by security forces as a reflection of “the tremendous restraint they have displayed”.