Geneva, Switzerland, September 24, 2026 ; India delivered a sharp response to Pakistan at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), accusing Islamabad of diverting attention from its economic and domestic challenges through territorial claims, alleged support for cross-border terrorism and what New Delhi described as theatrics at international forums.
Exercising India’s right of reply at the Council, Indian diplomat Kshitij Tyagi said Pakistan should focus on development and the welfare of its people instead of pursuing territorial ambitions or supporting terrorism.
Tyagi said Pakistan’s hostile posturing would not address the country’s economic difficulties, stating that neither territorial ambitions, alleged terrorism nor political theatrics would help repay the loans on which its economy depends.
India Raises Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir
India also highlighted the situation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), referring to reports of civilian deaths, arrests and restrictions on essential supplies including food, fuel and medicines.
Tyagi questioned Pakistan’s response to allegations concerning the treatment of civilians, saying that the country itself should face scrutiny by the Human Rights Council over its record.
India reiterated its position that Jammu & Kashmir is an integral part of India and called on Pakistan to vacate territories under its occupation.
India Accuses Pakistan of Terror Double Standards
During the intervention, Tyagi also accused Pakistan of supporting terrorist networks that have targeted people of different faiths, including Muslims.
He questioned Pakistan’s call for international inquiries while alleging that terrorist groups linked to Pakistan had themselves caused violence in Kashmir.
India said the contradiction between Pakistan’s stated concerns and its alleged role in supporting terrorism should not be overlooked by the international community.
New Delhi Rejects Pakistan’s Indus Waters Claims
Separately, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal rejected a letter circulated by Pakistan at the UN Security Council concerning a Court of Arbitration pronouncement related to the Indus Waters Treaty.
Jaiswal accused Pakistan of misrepresenting international legal proceedings and said the body involved was not the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the manner portrayed by Islamabad.
India maintained that the court was illegally constituted and reiterated that its position on the Indus Waters Treaty issue remains unchanged.
India’s Position
India’s latest statements at the UNHRC and on the Indus Waters dispute underline New Delhi’s continued objections to Pakistan’s claims concerning Jammu & Kashmir, its allegations regarding terrorism, and Islamabad’s interpretation of international legal mechanisms.
The exchange comes amid continuing diplomatic differences between the two countries over Jammu & Kashmir, cross-border terrorism, human rights allegations and the Indus Waters Treaty.
