India on Tuesday strongly criticised Pakistan at the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), accusing Islamabad of misusing the forum to push “baseless and provocative statements” against New Delhi.
India’s sharp rebuttal
Representing India, Kshitij Tyagi, Counsellor at the Permanent Mission of India in Geneva, said Pakistan should focus on its crippled economy, military-dominated polity, and poor human rights record rather than coveting Indian territory.
“A delegation that epitomises the antithesis of this approach continues to abuse this forum with baseless and provocative statements against India,” Tyagi said.
He added that Pakistan should vacate the Indian territories under its “illegal occupation” and address its persecution of minorities and export of terrorism.
Pakistan under fire for internal crises
Tyagi pointed to Pakistan’s internal turmoil, saying:
- Its economy is on “life support”.
- Its polity is “muzzled by military dominance”.
- Its human rights record is “stained by persecution”.
He also referred to Islamabad’s role in harbouring UN-proscribed terrorists and “bombing their own people”. Notably, at least 30 people were killed in an overnight Pakistani air strike in a Khyber Pakhtunkhwa village earlier this week.
India’s stand on UNHRC’s role
Reaffirming New Delhi’s position, Tyagi said the Council must remain universal, objective, and non-selective.
“Our collective efforts should foster unity and constructive engagement, not division,” he said.
India also criticised the “continued proliferation of country-specific mandates”, saying they only reinforce perceptions of bias. Tyagi stressed that sustainable progress in human rights can only come through dialogue, cooperation, and consent of the State concerned.
Looking ahead
India urged the UNHRC to adopt a forward-looking, non-politicised approach, especially at a time when the world faces multiple global crises.