Shehbaz Sharif Sparks New India-Pakistan Tensions Over Kashmir at UN

Hours after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed the United Nations General Assembly, bringing up the Kashmir issue, India responded strongly to the speech. India criticized Islamabad’s ongoing support for cross-border terrorism and warned that such actions would inevitably lead to consequences.

During the UNGA session, Bhavika Mangalanandan, First Secretary in India’s Permanent Mission to the UN, addressed the assembly to express India’s concerns. She highlighted the history of cross-border terrorism employed by a certain country against its neighbors and cited specific instances of attacks on India, including the assault on the Indian parliament, the city of Mumbai, and other important locations.

What did India Say?

The speaker highlighted the irony of Pakistan criticizing violence elsewhere while having a history of rigged elections. She also pointed out the irony of the same country discussing political choices in a democracy.

The envoy also emphasized the historical events by reminding Pakistan about the “atrocities and genocide it committed during the 1971 conflict.” “The world can see for itself what Pakistan really is. We are talking about a nation that for long hosted Osama bin Laden. A country whose fingerprints are on so many terrorist incidents across the world, whose policies attract the dregs of many societies to make it their home,” she Said.

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What did Shehbaz Sharif Say?

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has accused India of reneging on its commitments to implement the UNSC resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir.

In his speech, Shehbaz Sharif said: “Like the people of Palestine, the people of Jammu and Kashmir too have struggled for a century for their freedom and right to self-determination. Instead of moving towards peace, India has resiled from its commitments to implement the Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir. These resolutions mandate a plebiscite to enable the people of Jammu and Kashmir to exercise their fundamental right to self-determination.”

“Since 5th August, 2019, India has initiated unilateral illegal to impose what its leaders call a final solution to Jammu and Kashmir. Day in and day out, 900,000 Indian troops terrorise the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir with draconian measures including long curfews, extrajudicial killings, and the abduction of thousands of young Kashmiris. At the same time, in a classic settler colonial project, India is seizing Kashmiri lands and properties, and settling outsiders into occupied Jammu and Kashmir in their nefarious design to transform the Muslim-majority into a minority… It shall fail by the grace of God,” He added.

He also said: “The Kashmiri people are resolute in rejection of the false Indian identity. The New Delhi seeks to impose upon them very very severe conditions and atrocities committed every hour. India’s policy of brutal occupation and coercion has ensured that Burhan Wani’s legacy continues to inspire the struggle and sacrifices of millions of Kashmiris…”

Asserting for the reversal of the Abrogation of Article 370, Sharif said: “Pakistan will respond most decisively to any Indian incursion. Therefore, to secure durable peace, India must reverse the unilateral and illegal measures it has taken since 5th of August, 2019 and enter into a dialogue for a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir issue in accordance with the UNSC regulations and wishes of the Kashmiri people.”

Pakistan Prime Minister alleged that India has “thoughtlessly” rejected Pakistan’s proposals for a mutual ‘strategic restraint’ regime. He also claimed that Indian leadership has frequently made threats to cross the Line of Control (LoC) and take over Azad Kashmir. In response, India asserted that there “can be no compact with terrorism” and emphasized that Pakistan should recognize that cross-border terrorism against India will lead to inevitable consequences.