Mr. Chairman,

 This year marks the fifteenth anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action at the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance. The 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development adopted last October reiterates the need to respect equality, non-discrimination, race, ethnicity and cultural diversity.

Mr. Chairman, 

As noted in Secretary General's latest Report on this Agenda item, despite the efforts made in combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, these problems remain widespread.

We firmly believe that universal adherence to and the full implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action is of paramount importance for promoting equality and non-discrimination in the world. This requires resolute action and cooperation at the international level.

Racism, xenophobia and related intolerance reminds us of the crimes committed during the colonial and imperial past and which create serious divides in many countries. The escalation of racism, xenophobia and related intolerance continues to lead to gross violations of human rights of national, ethnic, cultural and religious minorities, refugees, asylum seekers and migrants.

The principles of equality, respect for diversity and non-discrimination are essential for the promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms. The battle against racism has to be fought within societies in each nation through education, policies and stringent law.

The current globalisation trends led by modern communication technologies and the ever expanding social media networks are increasing the challenges of discrimination and xenophobia. Stark and persistent economic inequality is feeding intolerance.

Mr. Chairman,

The founding fathers of Indian Constitution build adequate safeguards against racism and racial discrimination and enshrined the basic value of equality in it.

India's commitment to the elimination of racism is well recognized and is based on fundamental principles of universal brotherhood, equality and non-discrimination. Mahatma Gandhi's tireless struggle against the crimes of racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia and other related intolerance is historic, significant and memorable.

Mr. Chairman,

India is proud of playing its part in the historic struggle for decolonization. As a founding member of the NAM, India was at the forefront of the movement to secure the right of peoples to self-determination under alien subjugation, domination and exploitation, to freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.

Today Palestine remains the unfinished task in the realization of the right of peoples to self-determination. India has maintained unwavering solidarity for the people of Palestine to attain their inalienable rights, including the right to self-determination. My delegation has reiterated its full support for the Peace Process and the Qaurtet Roadmap which would realise the dream of the peoples of both Palestine and Israel to live in peace, side by side within recognized and secure borders.

Mr. Chairman,

The right to self-determination has been recognized for long as applicable to the peoples of non-self-governing colonies and trust territories. This concept cannot become an instrument to promote subversion and erode the political cohesion or territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Member states of the UN in contravention to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.

Mr. Chairman,

Earlier today, we once again heard Pakistan's ritual propaganda on the right to self-determination. We reject in entirety the baseless allegations against India.

Pakistan, whose own people have been deprived of their democratic rights for most of its history and which continues to illegally occupy a part of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir and rules it as a virtual colony, repeatedly indulges in the abuse of the concept of self-determination to bolster its agenda of territorial aggrandizement through terrorism against India.

I would like to remind the delegate of Pakistan that India is the world's largest democracy and free and fair elections are held regularly in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir meeting the aspiration of its people.

The truth is that thousands of innocent citizens of India, including women and children, continue to fall victim to the repeated inhuman terrorist attacks committed by proxies of the State of Pakistan in our region.

As we have pointed out on other occasions, the State of Pakistan would serve their people better if only they could introspect about the challenges faced by their society instead of setting sights on territories of their neighbors in flagrant violation of all international norms of behavior.

By now the international community has seen through these misleading attempts by Pakistan. We therefore do not intend to engage any further on this issue.

Mr. Chairman,

India is committed to join the international community in its fight to purge the world of racist, xenophobic and discriminatory practices and facilitate the legitimate right to self-determination for nations seeking freedom.

I thank you.