'Don't lecture…': India slams Pakistan at UN over Kashmir remarks
What's the story
India has hit out at Pakistan at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) meeting in Geneva, Switzerland.
The Indian envoy rejected Islamabad's allegations of suppressing democracy and human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir as "baseless and malicious."
Diplomat Kshitij Tyagi blamed Pakistan for spreading falsehoods dictated by its military terrorist complex.
"It is regrettable to see Pakistan's so-called leaders and delegates continuing to dutifully spread falsehoods handed down by its military terrorist complex," Tyagi said.
Internal affairs
India urges Pakistan to focus on its own governance
Tyagi urged Pakistan to pay attention to governance and justice for its own citizens rather than criticizing India.
He accused Islamabad instead of human rights abuses, minority persecution, and harboring terrorists.
"As a country where human rights abuses, persecution of minorities and systematic erosion of democratic values constitute state policies...Pakistan is in no position to lecture anyone," he asserted at the UNHRC meeting.
Anti-terrorism stance
India's commitment to global human rights promotion
Tyagi said India's focus continues to be on democracy, progress, and dignity for its people.
"Its rhetoric reeks of hypocrisy, its actions of inhumanity and its governance of incompetence. India remains focused on democracy, progress and ensuring dignity for its people," he told the UN body.
Tyagi continued his argument, stating that the Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh are and will remain integral parts of India.
He contrasted Pakistan's assertions of instability with the substantial growth and stability achieved.
Accusations refuted
Pakistan's allegations and India's counterclaims
Earlier, Pakistan's Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights, Azam Nazeer Tarar, claimed Kashmiris were denied their right to self-determination.
He alleged violations of UN charters and international law in the region.
He called on the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to "continue monitoring the situation and update its Kashmir reports while urging the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry to investigate systematic human rights violations in IOJK (Indian-occupied Kashmir)."