At the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, held from February 23 to March 31, India strongly responded to Pakistan’s remarks, accusing it of spreading misinformation and contrasting Jammu and Kashmir’s development with Pakistan’s ongoing economic difficulties. Speaking on February 25 during the high-level segment, India’s representative, Anupama Singh, exercised the country’s Right to Reply and dismissed allegations raised by Pakistan and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, stating that the group had become an “echo chamber” for one member nation. She firmly rejected the claims, saying Pakistan’s repeated propaganda appeared driven by frustration.

Singh reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir was, is, and will remain an integral part of India. She emphasized that the region’s accession to India in 1947 was legal and final under the Indian Independence Act and international law. According to her, the only unresolved issue is what India describes as Pakistan’s illegal occupation of certain territories, urging Islamabad to vacate those areas.

Highlighting infrastructure progress, Singh pointed to the inauguration of the Chenab Rail Bridge, referred to as the world’s highest railway bridge, stating that dismissing such achievements would mean ignoring reality. She also compared Jammu and Kashmir’s development budget to Pakistan’s recent IMF bailout package, claiming the former exceeds the latter, and contrasted governance in the Union Territory with Pakistan’s economic struggles. Addressing concerns about democracy, she said Pakistan was not in a position to lecture others, noting that civilian governments there seldom complete full terms. She cited voter turnout in recent elections in Jammu and Kashmir as proof that residents are choosing development over violence.

In her concluding remarks, Singh accused Pakistan of continuing state-sponsored terrorism aimed at destabilizing the region, while asserting that Jammu and Kashmir is advancing politically, economically, and socially. She added that Pakistan should focus on resolving its internal challenges instead of raising such issues at international platforms. The exchange represents another instance of diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan at multilateral forums over Jammu and Kashmir.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from YoutubeUNHRC.