India exercised its Right of Reply at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Friday, responding to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s comments on Jammu and Kashmir. Describing Sharif’s remarks as “hypocrisy at its worst,” India criticized Pakistan for its history of terrorism and political instability.
During the General Debate of the 79th session of the UNGA, Indian diplomat Bhavika Mangalanandan rebuked Pakistan for its continued interference in India’s internal matters. She stated that it was audacious for a country, known globally for terrorism and transnational crime, to attack the world’s largest democracy.
“This assembly regrettably witnessed a travesty this morning with the Pakistani PM’s reference to India,” she said. “Pakistan has long used cross-border terrorism as a weapon against its neighbors, attacking our Parliament, financial hub Mumbai, and pilgrimage routes. For such a country to talk about violence is hypocrisy at its worst.”
Mangalanandan further asserted that Pakistan has sought to disrupt democratic processes in Jammu and Kashmir, which remains an integral part of India, through terrorism. She warned that any continuation of cross-border terrorism by Pakistan would “inevitably invite consequences.”
Highlighting Pakistan’s history of internal conflict and persecution, the diplomat criticized Islamabad for daring to lecture on issues of intolerance and violence. “This is a country that committed genocide in 1971, relentlessly persecutes its minorities, and once harbored Osama bin Laden,” she added. “The world sees what Pakistan truly is.”
India’s strong response came after Sharif, in his speech at the UNGA, raised the Kashmir issue, calling for the reversal of Article 370 and drawing comparisons between the struggles of Kashmiris and Palestinians. He also accused India of escalating Islamophobia and promoting a “Hindu supremacist agenda” against its Muslim population.
Despite Pakistan’s repeated attempts to internationalize the Kashmir issue, India has consistently maintained that Jammu and Kashmir, along with Ladakh, are integral parts of the country, and any attempts to alter this status through terrorism or false narratives will not succeed.