India firmly countered Pakistan at the United Nations after Islamabad once again raised the issue of Jammu and Kashmir during a General Assembly session, accusing Pakistan of exploiting UN forums to promote what New Delhi termed a 'divisive narrative'. The rebuttal followed remarks by Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, who referenced Jammu and Kashmir in his address. India dismissed the comments as inappropriate and disconnected from the realities on the ground.&nbsp;Presenting India’s national statement during the UN General Assembly plenary discussion on the Secretary-General’s annual report, Eldos Mathew Punnoose, Counsellor at India’s Permanent Mission to the UN, said Pakistan has made a habit of politicising multilateral platforms, according to news agency PTI. Punnoose remarked that while the international community is expected to rise above narrow national interests, Pakistan continues to misuse UN mechanisms to advance its agenda. He stressed that Pakistan’s reference to Jammu and Kashmir was unjustified, reiterating that the Union Territory is an inseparable part of India.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-takes-all-in-maharashtra-local-body-polls-mahayuti-alliance-dethrones-thackeray-from-bmc-devendra-fadanvis-1768561208172">BJP takes all in Maharashtra local body polls; Mahayuti alliance dethrones Thackeray family from BMC</a>&nbsp;India’s response came amid Pakistan’s repeated efforts to internationalise the Kashmir issue at various UN bodies, attempts that New Delhi maintains have consistently failed to attract broader global backing. Addressing the principle of self-determination, Punnoose warned against its distortion to legitimise separatist claims. While acknowledging self-determination as a core UN principle, he emphasised that it should not be weaponised to encourage fragmentation in democratic and pluralistic societies. He added that Pakistan should refrain from making unfounded allegations that misrepresent reality.&nbsp;Beyond bilateral issues, India also drew attention to challenges faced by the Global South. Punnoose said India has actively worked to amplify these concerns across UN platforms and called for concrete follow-up actions to translate collective sentiment into measurable outcomes. He further noted that the United Nations is navigating a pivotal moment, facing mounting expectations across its mandates of peace and security, development, and human rights.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-tests-quantum-cyber-tools-in-frontline-ops-1768558859021/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-tests-quantum-cyber-tools-in-frontline-ops-1768558859021/embed</a>&nbsp;India also expressed concern over the UN’s limited effectiveness in addressing ongoing global conflicts, warning that inaction undermines the organisation’s credibility. With conflicts escalating worldwide, Punnoose said the international community looks to the UN to alleviate human suffering and restore peace.

India slams Pakistan for raising Kashmir issue at United Nations General Assembly, accuses Islamabad of exploiting UN bodies

India firmly countered Pakistan at the United Nations after Islamabad once again raised the issue of Jammu and Kashmir during a General Assembly session, accusing Pakistan of exploiting UN forums to promote what New Delhi termed a 'divisive narrative'. The rebuttal followed remarks by Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, who referenced Jammu and Kashmir in his address. India dismissed the comments as inappropriate and disconnected from the realities on the ground. Presenting India’s national statement during the UN General Assembly plenary discussion on the Secretary-General’s annual report, Eldos Mathew Punnoose, Counsellor at India’s Permanent Mission to the UN, said Pakistan has made a habit of politicising multilateral platforms, according to news agency PTI. Punnoose remarked that while the international community is expected to rise above narrow national interests, Pakistan continues to misuse UN mechanisms to advance its agenda. He stressed that Pakistan’s reference to Jammu and Kashmir was unjustified, reiterating that the Union Territory is an inseparable part of India. Also Read: BJP takes all in Maharashtra local body polls; Mahayuti alliance dethrones Thackeray family from BMC India’s response came amid Pakistan’s repeated efforts to internationalise the Kashmir issue at various UN bodies, attempts that New Delhi maintains have consistently failed to attract broader global backing. Addressing the principle of self-determination, Punnoose warned against its distortion to legitimise separatist claims. While acknowledging self-determination as a core UN principle, he emphasised that it should not be weaponised to encourage fragmentation in democratic and pluralistic societies. He added that Pakistan should refrain from making unfounded allegations that misrepresent reality. Beyond bilateral issues, India also drew attention to challenges faced by the Global South. Punnoose said India has actively worked to amplify these concerns across UN platforms and called for concrete follow-up actions to translate collective sentiment into measurable outcomes. He further noted that the United Nations is navigating a pivotal moment, facing mounting expectations across its mandates of peace and security, development, and human rights. https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-tests-quantum-cyber-tools-in-frontline-ops-1768558859021/embed India also expressed concern over the UN’s limited effectiveness in addressing ongoing global conflicts, warning that inaction undermines the organisation’s credibility. With conflicts escalating worldwide, Punnoose said the international community looks to the UN to alleviate human suffering and restore peace.

India strongly countered Pakistan at the United Nations after Kashmir was raised again, accusing Islamabad of misusing global platforms and reiterating its sovereignty claim

India has once again taken a firm stance against Pakistan at the United Nations, during a Security Council debate focused on women, peace, and security. In his speech, India’s permanent representative to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish, accused Pakistan of continuing its ‘delusional tirades’ against India, particularly regarding Jammu and Kashmir. Harish remarked that Pakistan’s unrelenting claims over Kashmir were baseless and urged the international community to see through Pakistan’s manipulation.&nbsp;&nbsp;He also condemned Islamabad for its dismal record on women’s rights, highlighting the country's historical violations. "Pakistan’s claims are an exercise in hyperbole, designed to mislead the world,” Harish said. He referred to Pakistan’s 1971 military operation, Operation Searchlight, as an example of Pakistan’s disregard for human rights, citing the systematic genocide and mass rape of over 400,000 women by Pakistani forces during the operation.<h2>Watch the video here</h2>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | At the UNSC Open Debate on Women Peace and Security, Permanent Representative of India to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish says, &quot;Every year, we are unfortunately fated to listen to the delusional tirade of Pakistan against my country, especially on Jammu and Kashmir, the… <a href="https://t.co/KngC3ku98O">pic.twitter.com/KngC3ku98O</a>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1975353360430866834?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The Indian diplomat’s remarks came in response to a speech by Pakistan’s counsellor at the UN, Saima Saleem, who discussed the suffering of Kashmiri women under Indian rule. Saleem claimed that sexual violence in Kashmir has been used as a weapon of war for decades, and emphasised the role of international organisations such as Human Rights Watch in documenting these alleged violations. Saleem also argued that excluding Kashmiri women from the women, peace, and security agenda undermines the legitimacy of the UN’s work, as the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is a central issue for the Security Council.<h2>What was Operation Searchlight?</h2>Operation Searchlight was a military operation conducted by the Pakistani Army in 1971, aimed at quelling the independence movement in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). The operation resulted in the deaths of between 300,000 to 3,000,000 people, with reports of mass sexual violence and systemic rape affecting up to 400,000 women. The atrocities of Operation Searchlight prompted millions of refugees to flee to neighbouring India, which intervened militarily in support of East Pakistan’s independence, leading to the creation of Bangladesh.<h2>India’s rebuke of Pakistan’s PM at UN</h2>This latest verbal exchange comes after India sharply criticised Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the UN General Assembly. Sharif presented wrong facts regarding Operation Sindoor and Pakistan's supposed victory during the May standoff between the two countries.

India strongly criticised Pakistan at the UN, slamming its hypocrisy on women’s rights and reiterating Kashmir’s status as Indian territory during a UNSC debate

India has once again taken a firm stance against Pakistan at the United Nations, during a Security Council debate focused on women, peace, and security. In his speech, India’s permanent representative to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish, accused Pakistan of continuing its ‘delusional tirades’ against India, particularly regarding Jammu and Kashmir. Harish remarked that Pakistan’s unrelenting claims over Kashmir were baseless and urged the international community to see through Pakistan’s manipulation. He also condemned Islamabad for its dismal record on women’s rights, highlighting the country's historical violations. "Pakistan’s claims are an exercise in hyperbole, designed to mislead the world,” Harish said. He referred to Pakistan’s 1971 military operation, Operation Searchlight, as an example of Pakistan’s disregard for human rights, citing the systematic genocide and mass rape of over 400,000 women by Pakistani forces during the operation. Watch the video here

India strongly criticised Pakistan at the UN, slamming its hypocrisy on women’s rights and reiterating Kashmir’s status as Indian territory during a UNSC debate

'Every year, the same tired...': India fires back at Pakistan at United Nations over remarks on Kashmir and women's rights

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has arrived here to represent India at the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly and hold several bilateral and multilateral meetings with her global counterparts.

She will address the General Debate on the morning of September 29.

Swaraj, who arrived here on Saturday, will hold several bilateral and multilateral discussions with her global counterparts as well as with the top UN officials, besides participating in several meetings and discussions throughout the week on the sidelines of the General Assembly session.

"Destination #UNGA73. India's External Affairs Minister @SushmaSwaraj arrives in New York for High Level Segment of @UN," India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin tweeted.

The General Debate commences on September 25. World leaders from 193 UN member states will address the global body.

US President Donald Trump will give his second address to the General Assembly on September 25.

In a tweet, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said "setting the stage for a week of hectic diplomacy! EAM @SushmaSwaraj arrives in New York to attend the 73rd Session of the #UnitedNations General Assembly and participate in several bilateral, plurilateral and multilateral meetings".

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Setting the stage for a week of hectic diplomacy! EAM <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SushmaSwaraj</a> arrives in New York to attend the 73rd Session of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UnitedNations?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UnitedNations</a> General Assembly and participate in several bilateral, plurilateral and multilateral meetings. <a href="https://t.co/UcINJtzwCd">pic.twitter.com/UcINJtzwCd</a>
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/1043604824229580800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Earlier, following India's acceptance of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's proposal for a meeting, Swaraj and her Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi were slated to meet on the sidelines of the General Assembly.

However, the Indian government called off the meeting, citing the brutal killings of three policemen in Jammu and Kashmir and Islamabad releasing postage stamps "glorifying" militant Burhan Wani. Qureshi will address the UN General Assembly in the afternoon on September 29.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has arrived here to represent India at the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly and hold several bilateral and multilateral meetings with her global counterparts.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has arrived here to represent India at the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly and hold several bilateral and multilateral meetings with her global counterparts. She will address the General Debate on the morning of September 29. Swaraj, who arrived here on Saturday, will hold several bilateral and multilateral discussions with her global counterparts as well as with the top UN officials, besides participating in several meetings and discussions throughout the week on the sidelines of the General Assembly session. "Destination #UNGA73. India's External Affairs Minister @SushmaSwaraj arrives in New York for High Level Segment of @UN," India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin tweeted. The General Debate commences on September 25. World leaders from 193 UN member states will address the global body. US President Donald Trump will give his second address to the General Assembly on September 25. In a tweet, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said "setting the stage for a week of hectic diplomacy! EAM @SushmaSwaraj arrives in New York to attend the 73rd Session of the #UnitedNations General Assembly and participate in several bilateral, plurilateral and multilateral meetings". Setting the stage for a week of hectic diplomacy! EAM @SushmaSwaraj arrives in New York to attend the 73rd Session of the #UnitedNations General Assembly and participate in several bilateral, plurilateral and multilateral meetings. pic.twitter.com/UcINJtzwCd — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) September 22, 2018 × Earlier, following India's acceptance of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's proposal for a meeting, Swaraj and her Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi were slated to meet on the sidelines of the General Assembly. However, the Indian government called off the meeting, citing the brutal killings of three policemen in Jammu and Kashmir and Islamabad releasing postage stamps "glorifying" militant Burhan Wani. Qureshi will address the UN General Assembly in the afternoon on September 29.

Swaraj arrives in New York for UN General Assembly session

The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres will arrive in India on October 1 for a three-day official visit.

The visit coincides with the beginning of events to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of India's Father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi on October 2, 2019. In 2007, the General Assembly designated 2 October as the International Day of Non-Violence.

During his visit, Guterres will formally open the new UN House in New Delhi on October 1. The following morning, the Secretary-General will participate in the closing session of the Mahatma Gandhi International Sanitation Convention.

He is also scheduled to meet Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, before giving an address at the India Habitat Centre on Global Affairs on the theme "Global challenges, global solutions" on October 2. The same evening, Guterres will take part in the General Assembly of the International Solar Alliance.

On October 3, the Secretary-General will meet with President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. In the afternoon, he will visit the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

Guterres will return to New York on October 4.&nbsp;

The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres will arrive in India on October 1 for a three-day official visit. The visit coincides with the beginning of events to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of India's Father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi on October 2, 2019.

The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres will arrive in India on October 1 for a three-day official visit. The visit coincides with the beginning of events to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of India's Father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi on October 2, 2019. In 2007, the General Assembly designated 2 October as the International Day of Non-Violence. During his visit, Guterres will formally open the new UN House in New Delhi on October 1. The following morning, the Secretary-General will participate in the closing session of the Mahatma Gandhi International Sanitation Convention. He is also scheduled to meet Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, before giving an address at the India Habitat Centre on Global Affairs on the theme "Global challenges, global solutions" on October 2. The same evening, Guterres will take part in the General Assembly of the International Solar Alliance. On October 3, the Secretary-General will meet with President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. In the afternoon, he will visit the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Guterres will return to New York on October 4.

UN Secretary-General Guterres to visit India in October

More than half of all countries will likely fail to hit the UN target of reducing premature deaths from a quartet of chronic diseases by a third before 2030, researchers said Friday.

Cancers, heart and blood-vessel disease, diabetes, and chronic respiratory disease combined to kill 12.5 million people aged 30 to 70 worldwide in 2016, they reported in a major study.

"The bottom line is this: a set of commitments were made, and most countries are not going to meet them," lead author Majid Ezzati, a professor at Imperial School London's School of Public Health, told AFP.

Only 35 nations are on track to meet UN Sustainable Development Goal 3.4 -- launched in 2015 -- for women, and even less for men, the study revealed.

"International donors and national governments are doing too little to reduce deaths from non-communicable diseases," Ezzati said.

The good news, he added, is that most countries are at least moving in the right direction.

But around 20 states -- 15 for women, 24 for men -- are either stagnating or backsliding.

That select group of failure includes only one wealthy nation: the United States.

A much-noted study last year in the American Journal of Public Health showed that the rise in premature deaths was especially sharp among white, rural Americans, described by the authors as gripped by an "epidemic of despair".

"It comes down to weak public health, weak health care system, high levels of inequality," Ezzati said.

Across all age groups, non-communicable diseases kill more than 40 million people a year worldwide, accounting for seven in ten deaths.&nbsp;

Of these, 17 million are classified as "premature," or before the age of 70.

"We are sleepwalking into a sick future because of severely inadequate progress on non-communicable diseases," said Katie Dain from the NCD Alliance.

The "NCD Countdown 2030" report, published in The Lancet ahead of next week's UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs in New York, "will assist in holding governments and donors accountable", she added.

Ezzati rejected the notion that the UN goal may have been set too high.

"The fact that 30-odd countries are very much on track, and another 40 or 50 -- depending on the gender -- are close, means that it is very doable," he said by phone.

Declining tobacco and alcohol use, low blood pressure, a good public health care system, low levels of inequality -- countries not doing so well in meeting the UN target are likely to fail in a couple of these things, Ezzati said.

Only four countries -- South Korea, Japan, Switzerland and Australia -- ranked among the top ten for lowest NCD mortality rates for both men and women.

Spain, Singapore, Portugal, Italy, Finland and France rounded out the good health podium for women.

For men, the other countries were Iceland, Sweden, Norway, Bahrain, Canada and New Zealand.

The United States ranked 53rd for men, and 44th for women, with Chinese men and women placed 80th and 76th, respectively.

China is not on track to meet the goal but its NCD rates are declining, even as levels of obesity and high blood pressure are on the rise, the study revealed.&nbsp;

Smoking rates have stabilised but remain high, especially for men. Tobacco use claims one million lives in China every year.

"China has the ability to do a lot when it comes to managing tobacco and alcohol, with both largely state-owned industries," Ezzati noted.

"They are also wealthy enough so that hypertension treatment should be trivial."

In sub-Saharan Africa, non-communicable diseases account for a smaller share of deaths than infectious diseases such as AIDS and tuberculosis.

But their NCD mortality rates are still much higher than in most middle-income and rich countries, and should not be neglected, the authors said.

"By any standard, it would be inappropriate and non-strategic to not incorporate NCDs in the strengthening of the overall health care system," Ezzati said.

"We should say to the donor and aid agencies: 'Focus on the overall health system rather than disease by disease'."

More than half of all countries will likely fail to hit the UN target of reducing premature deaths from a quartet of chronic diseases by a third before 2030, researchers said Friday.

More than half of all countries will likely fail to hit the UN target of reducing premature deaths from a quartet of chronic diseases by a third before 2030, researchers said Friday. Cancers, heart and blood-vessel disease, diabetes, and chronic respiratory disease combined to kill 12.5 million people aged 30 to 70 worldwide in 2016, they reported in a major study. "The bottom line is this: a set of commitments were made, and most countries are not going to meet them," lead author Majid Ezzati, a professor at Imperial School London's School of Public Health, told AFP. Only 35 nations are on track to meet UN Sustainable Development Goal 3.4 -- launched in 2015 -- for women, and even less for men, the study revealed. "International donors and national governments are doing too little to reduce deaths from non-communicable diseases," Ezzati said. The good news, he added, is that most countries are at least moving in the right direction. But around 20 states -- 15 for women, 24 for men -- are either stagnating or backsliding. That select group of failure includes only one wealthy nation: the United States. A much-noted study last year in the American Journal of Public Health showed that the rise in premature deaths was especially sharp among white, rural Americans, described by the authors as gripped by an "epidemic of despair". "It comes down to weak public health, weak health care system, high levels of inequality," Ezzati said. Across all age groups, non-communicable diseases kill more than 40 million people a year worldwide, accounting for seven in ten deaths. Of these, 17 million are classified as "premature," or before the age of 70. "We are sleepwalking into a sick future because of severely inadequate progress on non-communicable diseases," said Katie Dain from the NCD Alliance. The "NCD Countdown 2030" report, published in The Lancet ahead of next week's UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs in New York, "will assist in holding governments and donors accountable", she added. Ezzati rejected the notion that the UN goal may have been set too high. "The fact that 30-odd countries are very much on track, and another 40 or 50 -- depending on the gender -- are close, means that it is very doable," he said by phone. Declining tobacco and alcohol use, low blood pressure, a good public health care system, low levels of inequality -- countries not doing so well in meeting the UN target are likely to fail in a couple of these things, Ezzati said. Only four countries -- South Korea, Japan, Switzerland and Australia -- ranked among the top ten for lowest NCD mortality rates for both men and women. Spain, Singapore, Portugal, Italy, Finland and France rounded out the good health podium for women. For men, the other countries were Iceland, Sweden, Norway, Bahrain, Canada and New Zealand. The United States ranked 53rd for men, and 44th for women, with Chinese men and women placed 80th and 76th, respectively. China is not on track to meet the goal but its NCD rates are declining, even as levels of obesity and high blood pressure are on the rise, the study revealed. Smoking rates have stabilised but remain high, especially for men. Tobacco use claims one million lives in China every year. "China has the ability to do a lot when it comes to managing tobacco and alcohol, with both largely state-owned industries," Ezzati noted. "They are also wealthy enough so that hypertension treatment should be trivial." In sub-Saharan Africa, non-communicable diseases account for a smaller share of deaths than infectious diseases such as AIDS and tuberculosis. But their NCD mortality rates are still much higher than in most middle-income and rich countries, and should not be neglected, the authors said. "By any standard, it would be inappropriate and non-strategic to not incorporate NCDs in the strengthening of the overall health care system," Ezzati said. "We should say to the donor and aid agencies: 'Focus on the overall health system rather than disease by disease'."

Most nations to miss UN target on chronic diseases: Study

The Indian government in the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/india-at-unhrc-pakistan-must-stop-acting-as-epicentre-of-terrorism-6547"> United Nations appealed to Pakistan to &quot;dismantle special terrorist zones</a> and safe havens in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir&quot;&nbsp;(PoK) at the third Universal Periodic Review (UPR).

In a statement, India<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/india-unlikely-to-accept-pakistans-kashmir-dialogue-proposal-4847"> said: &quot;Provide freedom to people of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK)</a> by ending its illegal and forceful occupation and to stop torture, enforced disappearances and unlawful killing.&quot;

India also called Pakistan to &quot;to end forced conversions and marriages of minorities, including Hindu, Sikh and Christian women, and prosecute all cases.&quot;

India requested Islamabad to fulfil international obligations under International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and Vienna Convention on Consular Relation (VCCR) and &quot;stop attacks on Muslim minorities&quot;.

Sumit Seth, first secretary at the Permanent Mission of India to UN urged Pakistan to stop the targeting of political dissidents and illegitimate criticism in Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, stop torture, enforced disappearance and unlawful killings, including that of journalists and activists by its security agencies.

India also said Pakistan &quot;should stop persecution&nbsp;of Muslim minorities such as Shias, Ahmadiyas, Ismailia and Hazaras.&quot;

In September, making a statement during the 33rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, India had said that cross-border terrorism promoted by Pakistan was the fundamental reason for disturbances in Kashmir.

India had said that it firmly believes that a policy of &quot;zero tolerance&quot; against terrorism is as much an international obligation as it is a commitment to its own people.

India added that the fact that known terrorists like Hafiz Saeed and Syed Salahuddin have been able to hold huge rallies in Pakistan&#39;s main cities is a reflection of the state of affairs and can mean only one thing, an active support for such personalities and the designated organisations they lead in blatant disregard of rule of law is the new normal in Pakistan.

India also asked Islamabad to fulfil international obligations under International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Vienna Convention.

The Indian government in the United Nations appealed to Pakistan to "dismantle special terrorist zones and safe havens in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir" (PoK) at the third Universal Periodic Review (UPR). In a statement, India said: "Provide freedom to people of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) by ending its illegal and forceful occupation and to stop torture, enforced disappearances and unlawful killing." India also called Pakistan to "to end forced conversions and marriages of minorities, including Hindu, Sikh and Christian women, and prosecute all cases." India requested Islamabad to fulfil international obligations under International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and Vienna Convention on Consular Relation (VCCR) and "stop attacks on Muslim minorities". Sumit Seth, first secretary at the Permanent Mission of India to UN urged Pakistan to stop the targeting of political dissidents and illegitimate criticism in Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, stop torture, enforced disappearance and unlawful killings, including that of journalists and activists by its security agencies. India also said Pakistan "should stop persecution of Muslim minorities such as Shias, Ahmadiyas, Ismailia and Hazaras." In September, making a statement during the 33rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, India had said that cross-border terrorism promoted by Pakistan was the fundamental reason for disturbances in Kashmir. India had said that it firmly believes that a policy of "zero tolerance" against terrorism is as much an international obligation as it is a commitment to its own people. India added that the fact that known terrorists like Hafiz Saeed and Syed Salahuddin have been able to hold huge rallies in Pakistan's main cities is a reflection of the state of affairs and can mean only one thing, an active support for such personalities and the designated organisations they lead in blatant disregard of rule of law is the new normal in Pakistan.

Provide freedom to people in PoK: India to Pakistan at UN