Exercising her right to reply following a Pakistan delegation statement at the launch of the Victims of Terrorism Association Network at the UN, India’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Yojna Patel stressed that the world could no longer turn a blind eye to Pakistan’s support for terror.
“It is unfortunate that one particular delegation has chosen to misuse and undermine this forum to indulge in propaganda and make baseless allegations against India. The whole world has heard Pakistani Defence Minister Khwaja Asif admitting and confessing Pakistan’s history of supporting, financing and training terror organisations in a recent TV interview,” said Patel.
She said this open confession surprised no one and “exposed Pakistan as a rogue state fuelling global terrorism and destabilising the region.”
The world can no longer turn a blind eye, India said at the UN amid rising demands to work diplomatically for getting declared Pakistan a state sponsor of terrorism.
In her opening remarks at the event, Patel spoke of the Pahalgam attack and said India has been a victim of cross border terror for decades and understands the importance of initiatives against terrorism.
“The Pahalgam terrorist attack represents the largest number of civilian casualties since the horrific 26/11 Mumbai attacks in 2008. Having been a victim of cross-border terrorism for decades, India fully understands the long-lasting impact such acts have on victims, their families and society,” she said.
The Indian deputy envoy at the UN also said the country deeply appreciates and values the strong unequivocal support and solidarity extended by leaders and governments across the world in wake of the recent terrorist attack at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir.
“This is a testimony to the international community’s zero tolerance for terrorism,” she noted, calling for terrorism in all its forms to be condemned unequivocally.
“India believes that initiatives like VoTAN are essential to strengthening the global response to terrorism, ensuring that victims remain at the center of our collective efforts,” she added.
