After Pakistan referred to Kashmir in its “habitual manner”, India issued a strong rejoinder at the 146th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Bahrain.
Using a Right to Reply (RoR), India hit back at Pakistan and termed it an “exporter of terrorists” and reiterated that the neighbouring country has no locus standi on Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
“India slammed Pakistan today at the 146th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Bahrain. During the speech of Pakistan at the Assembly, Pakistan referred to Kashmir in its habitual manner. India through a Right to Reply (RoR) slammed Pakistan at the IPU,” Rajya Sabha MP Dr Sasmit Patra said in a tweet.
“It is unfortunate that Pakistan has chosen once again to misuse the august platform by mentioning in their statement about Jammu and Kashmir, which is an integral part of India. This mentioning is completely unacceptable,” Sasmit Patra, the spokesperson for Biju Janata Dal (BJD), was quoted by ANI as saying.
‘PAK HAS NO LOCUS STANDI ON KASHMIR’
Reiterating India’s stance that the Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh have been and will always remain an integral part of India, Patra said, “No amount of rhetoric and propaganda from any country can override this fact. Pakistan has no locus standi to comment on India’s internal affairs.”
“We have repeatedly called upon it to vacate the Indian territories under its illegal and forcible occupation with immediate effect.
“It is ironic that a country which is a known exporter of terrorists, and responsible for inflicting countless cross-border terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir is claiming to champion the cause of human rights,” he added.
‘GETTING KASHMIR ISSUE AT CENTRE AN UPHILL TASK’
Recently, Pakistan’s foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari admitted that Islamabad faces an “uphill task” to get the Kashmir issue, into the “centre” of the agenda of the United Nations.
Pakistan takes up the issue of Jammu and Kashmir at every UN forum and platform, irrespective of the topic or agenda being discussed.
Earlier this month, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ruchira Kamboj, also slammed Zardari for raking up the issue of Jammu and Kashmir at a Security Council debate on women, peace and security.
“It is “unworthy” to even respond to such “malicious and false propaganda”,” Ruchira Kamboj had said, adding that India’s focus has been and will always be positive and forward-looking.
The strained ties between India and Pakistan hit a new-low after New Delhi scrapped Article 370 of the Constitution to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir on August 5, 2019.
India’s decision evoked strong reactions from Pakistan, which downgraded diplomatic ties and expelled the Indian envoy.
India blames Pakistan for stirring the unrest by backing terrorists in Kashmir – a charge its neighbour denies.
New Delhi has maintained it desires normal neighbourly relations with Islamabad in an environment free of terror, hostility and violence.
India has also reiterated that abrogation of Article 370 was its internal matter and also advised Pakistan to accept the reality and stop all anti-India propaganda.