New Delhi: India said that the onus to create a conducive atmosphere for any meaningful dialog that can be held only in an atmosphere free of terror, hostility, and violence.
“India desires normal neighborly relations with all countries including Pakistan and is committed to addressing outstanding issues, if any, bilaterally and peacefully in accordance with the Simla Agreement and the Lahore declaration,” Counselor in India’s Permanent Mission to the UN Kajal Bhat said in the UN Security Council.
“However, any meaningful dialogue can be held only in an atmosphere free of terror, hostility, and violence. The onus is on Pakistan to create a conducive atmosphere. Till then India will continue to take firm and decisive steps to respond to cross-border terrorism.”
India hit back at Pakistan in the UN Security Council after Islamabad raised the Kashmir issue at the 15-nation Council.
“This is not the first time the representative of Pakistan has misused platforms provided by the UN to propagate false and malicious propaganda against my country and seeking in vain to divert the world’s attention from the sad state of his country where terrorists enjoy a free pass while the lives of ordinary people, especially those belonging to the minority communities are turned upside down,” Bhat said.
Bhat made the response after Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UN, Munir Akram raked up the Jammu and Kashmir issue in the UN Security Council during the open debate on ”Maintenance of International Peace and Security Through Preventive Diplomacy”.
Bhat, who hails from Jammu and Kashmir, said in her remarks that UN member states are aware that Pakistan has an “established history and policy” of harboring, aiding, and actively supporting terrorists.
“This is a country which has been globally recognized as one openly supporting, training, financing, and arming terrorists as a matter of state policy. It holds the ignoble record of hosting the largest number of terrorists proscribed by the UN Security Council.”
India called upon Pakistan to immediately vacate all areas under its illegal occupation.
