I am taking the floor to exercise India's right of reply in response to a totally out of context and baseless comment made by the distinguished delegate of Pakistan.  The misuse of this forum by making tendentious references to the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir constitutes a clear interference in the internal affairs of India. Such comments are incompatible with the purposes and principles enshrined in the UN charter. Therefore, we reject them in entirety.

 

Our Hon'ble Member of Parliament, in his statement made earlier today had stated clearly that the people of Jammu and Kashmir exercised their right to self-determination at the time of India's independence. Thus there is no doubt that people of Jammu and Kashmir have peacefully chosen their destiny in accordance with the universally accepted democratic principles and practices and they continue to do so. The 65% voter turnout in elections held in 2014 in the State is a resounding response of our people.

 

Further, Pakistan's continued support for terror groups operating in Jammu and Kashmir is the main challenge to protecting the human rights of our citizens in the State. In spite of this, India remains committed to resolving all outstanding issues with Pakistan in an atmosphere free from terror and violence. In this regard, I would like to quote what our External Affairs Minister had stated in her address to the United Nations General Assembly on 1st October, 2015:

 

'India remains open to dialogue. But talks and terror cannot go together. We do not need four points, we need just one - give up terrorism and let us sit down and talk.'

 

External Affairs Minister also further stated that 'If the response is serious and credible, India is prepared to address all outstanding issues through a bilateral dialogue''.

 

Mr. Chair, 

 

We would also urge the delegation of Pakistan to refrain from using this forum to detract from the important cause of the Palestinian people and their inalienable rights to self-determination. It will never succeed in its efforts. 

 

 

 

 

Mr. Chair,

 

I am constrained to exercise my second Right of Reply. Regrettably, the Pakistani representative has once again taken the floor in an attempt to mislead the international community. We reject all the untenable and unsolicited remarks from the delegate of Pakistan. 

 

Relevant international principles reaffirm that self-determination is a right applicable to the peoples of non-self-governing colonies and trust territories. Once exercised, this right enables people to freely choose their own form of Government and for all segments of society to collectively participate. There is no room for self-determination to be distorted and misinterpreted as a right of a group, on the basis of ethnicity, religion or racial criteria, or any other such categorization, and use it to attempt to undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of state.

 

Pakistan would do well to introspect before casting baseless allegations against India, lest it will be drawn into its own created vortex. Needless to say, that does not require the time of this August forum and its distinguished members.