Unworthy to even respond: India slams Pak foriegn minister Bilawal over Kashmir remark at UNSC

By Shahnaz On Mar 8, 2023

Image Source: AP Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto.

India on Wednesday criticized Pakistan for raising the issue of Jammu and Kashmir during a debate on women, peace and security at the UN Security Council, saying it was “unable” to even respond to such “malicious and false propaganda”. .

Reacting to Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s comments on Jammu and Kashmir, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ruchira Kamboj on Tuesday termed his statement as ‘baseless and politically motivated’.

“Before I conclude, I reject the absurd, baseless and politically motivated comments made by the delegate of Pakistan regarding the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir,” she said.

Speaking at a UN Security Council open debate on ‘Women, Peace and Security’, Kamboj said, “My delegation finds it unacceptable to even respond to such malicious and false propaganda.”

“Instead, our focus is where it will always be – positive and forward-looking. Today’s discussion is critical to strengthening our collective efforts to fully implement the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. Respect and recognize the importance of time. That way, we will stay on topic,” he said.

Cambodia’s sharp response came after Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Zardari mentioned Jammu and Kashmir in a council debate held under Mozambique’s presidency on the eve of International Women’s Day this month.

India has previously told Pakistan that entire areas of the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh have been, are and will always be part of India.

India says it aspires to normal neighborly relations with Pakistan, while insisting that Islamabad is responsible for creating an environment free of terrorism and hostility for such engagement.

Relations between India and Pakistan were severely strained when Indian fighter jets bombed a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist training camp in Balakot, Pakistan, in response to the Pulwama terror attack in February 2019.

In August 2019, relations further deteriorated after India announced the withdrawal of special powers from Jammu and Kashmir and the division of the former state into Union Territories.

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