India responded in forthright manner as Pak chose to misuse UN platform, says Akbaruddin

With Pakistan trying to cash in on the unrest in the Kashmir Valley by racking up the issue at the United Nations platform, India's Permanent Representative to U.N. Syed Akbaruddin said that the hostile neighbour was trying to misuse the platform and India responded in a forthright manner.

Speaking to ANI, India's Permanent Representative to U.N. Syed Akbaruddin said, "Politicization of Human Rights agenda is an issue which many developing countries including Pakistan and India oppose. Yet Pakistan chose to misuse the platform and we responded in a forthright manner."

"We are an active participant in the UN and our interests cover a range of issues. We will continue to pursue and promote our interests across a broad spectrum of areas. If others want to pursue a single interest it is for them to decide on it," he added.

Akbaruddin also said that India would remain vigilant in pursuit of its interests.

Earlier, participating in a high-level thematic debate on 'UN@70 Human Rights at the centre of the global agenda, Akbaruddin had said "Regrettably, earlier today, we have seen an attempt at misuse of this UN platform. The attempt came from Pakistan, a country that covets the territory of others; a country that uses terrorism as state policy towards that misguided end; a country that extols the virtues of terrorists and that provides sanctuary to UN-designated terrorists; and a country that masquerades its efforts as support for human rights and self determination."

Akbaruddin further said, "Pakistan is the same country whose track record has failed to convince the international community to gain membership of the Human Rights Council in this very Session of the UNGA. The international community has long seen through such designs. Cynical attempts, like the one this morning, therefore, find no resonance in this forum or elsewhere in the United Nations."

In an interview, Adviser to Pakistan Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz has said, "India cannot suppress the voice of Kashmiris, who are struggling for their just right of self-determination, by using brutal force and committing human rights violations in Kashmir."

Expressing Pakistan's concern over the recent spate of violence in Kashmir, Aziz said: "Pakistan is raising the issue of Indian forces' brutalities at international fora, including the United Nations Human Rights Council, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the European Union and others."

"The international community should come forward and honour their promises of resolving the lingering Kashmir 'dispute' in accordance with the United Nations resolutions," he added.

However, brushing aside Aziz's contention and firmly asserting India's commitment to human rights, Akbaruddin said, "As a diverse, pluralistic and tolerant society, India's commitment to the rule of law, democracy and human rights is enshrined in its founding principles and we remain strongly committed to the promotion and protection of all human rights for all through pursuit of dialogue and cooperation."

Meanwhile, Pakistan Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry briefed the Islamabad-based Ambassadors of the member countries of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir - Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Niger - through its capital on Wednesday morning over the tense situation in Kashmir and conveyed Pakistan's serious concern over the killings of civilians and violation of their fundamental human rights by Indian Security Forces.