“Same old speech for domestic audience”: Expert slams Shehbaz Sharif’s UNGA address
Foreign affairs expert Robinder Sachdev and Indian diplomats deliver a stinging rebuttal to Pakistan's PM at the UNGA over terrorism and Kashmir.
Foreign affairs expert Robinder Sachdev has launched a scathing critique of Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's recent address at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), describing it as a repetitive tirade aimed primarily at satisfying a domestic audience rather than engaging the global community.
Speaking to ANI, Sachdev dismissed the speech as a collection of "tired" and "ranting" points that fail to address the core issue of Islamabad's continued involvement in sponsoring cross-border terrorism. He noted that the international community has grown weary of Pakistan's recurring narratives, particularly regarding the Indus Waters Treaty.
"You cannot expect benefits of cooperation while you're conducting terror radicalist activities against our country. You don't do that; you reap all the benefits of cooperation," Sachdev remarked.
India delivers a stinging rebuttal at the UN
Following the Prime Minister's address, India exercised its right of reply at the Assembly, with diplomat Petal Gehlot delivering a sharp response to Sharif's remarks. Gehlot characterized the Pakistani Prime Minister's comments as “bizarre” and reminded the Assembly of Pakistan's history of harboring high-profile terrorists.
To underscore this point, she highlighted that the mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks, Osama bin Laden, was discovered living in close proximity to the Pakistan Army's premier academy. India further accused Pakistan of extreme duplicity, stating that the nation "claims to uphold security by day and perpetrates terrorism by night."
Warnings of consequences and self-defence
India issued a firm warning to Islamabad, reiterating its sovereign right to self-defence against cross-border terror. The Indian delegation reminded the UN that India has already demonstrated its capability to strike terror infrastructure, citing Operation Sindoor conducted on May 7 last year. That operation targeted terror networks across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) following the Pahalgam attack that resulted in 26 civilian deaths.
The Indian diplomat emphasized that continued state-sponsored terrorism would lead to further consequences, stating, "We demonstrated last year that terrorists will have nowhere to run and nowhere to hide."
Dismantling the narrative on Kashmir and Human Rights
Addressing Sharif's focus on the Kashmir issue, India maintained its firm stance that Jammu and Kashmir is an "integral and inalienable part of India." Instead, India urged the international community to shift its attention toward the human rights violations occurring within Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Gehlot specifically called on the world to look at the situation in Rawalkot, highlighting the "wanton killings" and rights violations perpetrated by the Pakistani government. She further dismantled Pakistan's claims regarding democracy and religious harmony by pointing out the following:
- Military Control: India described Pakistan as a regime run "by the army, for the army," noting that while political puppets may change, the military remains the true power.
- Minority Rights: India highlighted the country's poor record regarding minorities, noting that blasphemy laws remain a mainstay of the Pakistani regime.
- The Indus Waters Treaty: India has signaled that the pact will remain in abeyance until Pakistan permanently halts its sponsorship of cross-border terrorism.
India concluded its rebuttal by urging the UNGA to see through the "mendacious" presentations of Pakistani representatives, stating that repeating falsehoods year after year will not make them true.