'Single-act plays have no resonance in multilateral issues'

Responding to a question on the Kashmir issue being raised at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, India's Ambassador to the UN, Syed Akbaruddin, stated that single-act plays have no resonance in matters of multilateral importance.

"Our contention is that the UN works best on multilateralism and multilateral platforms work best when you work in partnerships. Single-act plays have no resonance in such matters. Of course, anybody can try and be a solo player. Solo players in a multilateral context have neither the past nor a future. It is their call how they spend that time allocated to them. We as India work in partnerships. We have a great resonance in terms of our position," he said at a press conference here.

Earlier in the week, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, before emplaning for New York, had said that Pakistan would put forth its stance on the Kashmir issue at the UNGA.

In this regard, Akbaruddin said India is confident of handling the issue as it has done in the past.

"If somebody else would like to be a one trick pony, it is for them to regurgitate and act. We have handled this act many times in the past and are confident we will do so again," he added.

Highlighting India's priorities at the 73rd session of the UNGA, Akbaruddin said the focus will be on reformed multilateralism.

"We are by tradition and inclination multilateralist and we will be helpful in articulating our positions on how we need to strengthen the multilateral system and move towards reformed multilateralism," he added.

The United Nations General Debate will begin on September 25 and will be attended by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.