Pakistan UN Right of Reply: Islamabad accuses India of exporting terrorism and violence

Pakistan has accused India of “exporting terrorism and violence” while attempting to portray itself as a victim, during a right-of-reply statement at the UN General Assembly.

Counsellor Saima Saleem made the remarks in response to comments by India’s representative during the General Debate of the 81st session of the General Assembly. The statement covered a range of longstanding disputes between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, including terrorism, Jammu and Kashmir, minority rights and water sharing.

Saleem accused India of using what she described as propaganda and disinformation as part of its diplomatic approach. She said Pakistan was familiar with the consequences of what it considers Indian-sponsored terrorism.

According to Saleem, Pakistan has lost nearly 100,000 lives to terrorism since the beginning of the century and suffered billions of dollars in economic losses. She said Islamabad had presented evidence to the international community that, in Pakistan’s view, showed Indian financing, assistance and support for militant groups operating against Pakistan, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and the Majeed Brigade.

She also criticised India for what she described as a failure to unequivocally condemn attacks targeting Pakistani civilians. Saleem referred to the cases of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav and Nikhil Gupta while outlining Pakistan’s allegations of Indian involvement in terrorism and alleged overseas operations.

India has consistently rejected Pakistan’s allegations and has in turn accused Islamabad of supporting militant groups and cross-border terrorism. The two countries have repeatedly traded such accusations at international forums.

On Jammu and Kashmir, Saleem reiterated Pakistan’s position that the region is an internationally disputed territory. She accused India of maintaining what Pakistan calls an “illegal occupation” and of denying Kashmiris fundamental rights, including the right to self-determination.

India rejects Pakistan’s position and maintains that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the country. New Delhi has also consistently opposed international mediation on the dispute, saying outstanding issues should be addressed bilaterally.

Saleem also criticised India’s domestic policies towards religious and socially disadvantaged communities. She alleged that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ideological affiliation with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) had institutionalised Hindutva in state policy and practice. She raised allegations of discrimination and violence affecting Muslims, Christians, Dalits and Sikhs.

The Pakistani representative also criticised India’s decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, describing water as a lifeline for Pakistan’s population. India and Pakistan have remained at odds over the treaty and its implementation, particularly following the deterioration in bilateral relations.

Referring to the May 2025 military confrontation between the two countries, Saleem described Pakistan’s account of the conflict as a “crushing defeat” for India and said the episode had affected New Delhi’s credibility.

Pakistan and India exchanged military strikes during the confrontation before agreeing to a ceasefire on 10 May 2025. Both sides have since offered sharply different accounts of the conflict and its outcome.

Concluding her statement, Saleem said Pakistan remained committed to peace, mutual respect, dialogue and the peaceful settlement of disputes.

The latest exchange at the General Assembly reflects the continuing diplomatic tensions between the two countries, with both governments continuing to present competing narratives on terrorism, Kashmir, security and regional stability.