3 days Ago By TOI News Desk
NEW DELHI: India condemned Pakistan for its repeated attempts to "derail" United Nations discussions by invoking Jammu and Kashmir during a debate on peacekeeping operations. Representing India at the UN’s special political and decolonization (fourth) committee on Friday, Sudhanshu Trivedi , a member of the Rajya Sabha and BJP’s national spokesperson, accused Pakistan of spreading "rhetoric and falsehood" to mislead the forum. "India chooses its right to reply in response to the comments made by Pakistan that has yet again made an attempt to divert this august body from its agenda," Trivedi said.
He reiterated India’s firm position on Jammu and Kashmir, pointing out that the Union Territory "was, is and will remain an integral part of India," adding that recent democratic elections in the region underscore its rightful place within India. Trivedi urged Pakistan to "desist from such rhetoric" that, he stressed, would "not alter the facts." "The people of Jammu and Kashmir have recently exercised their democratic and electoral rights and elected a new government.
Pakistan must desist from such rhetoric and falsehood because it will not alter the facts," Trivedi said. India’s retort followed remarks by the Pakistani representative, who referenced the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP), originally set up to monitor ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC). India contends that UNMOGIP is now obsolete, as the Simla Agreement and establishment of the LoC have made its mandate irrelevant.
Following his address, Trivedi took to social media to reiterate his message, accusing Pakistan of attempting to shift the focus away from substantive discussions on peacekeeping to promote an "unnecessary mention" of Kashmir. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s "firm foreign policies" for bolstering India’s position on the global stage. As part of a 12-member Indian parliamentary delegation at the UN, Trivedi also delivered a broader address on the challenges facing UN peacekeeping .
He highlighted India’s contributions as the largest cumulative troop contributor, noting that today's conflicts are increasingly complex and require "realistic mandates" tailored to the specific sociopolitical circumstances of each conflict. Reflecting on the dangers peacekeepers face, Trivedi noted an increase in asymmetric threats, including land mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), underscoring India’s advocacy for the safety and security of peacekeepers. He stressed the importance of accountability, asserting that "perpetrators of crimes against peacekeepers must be brought to justice.
" Addressing resource constraints, Trivedi argued that redundant peacekeeping missions often persist due to political agendas, and urged the UN to build exit strategies into peacekeeping missions from their inception. India, he affirmed, remains committed to international peacekeeping, viewing it as a mission dedicated to the cause of humanity. Describing peacekeeping as "a mission with utmost dedication," he called for appropriate action to commemorate those who have sacrificed their lives in service to global peace.
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