During the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly, Pakistani diplomat Saima Saleem delivered a strong response exercising the country’s Right of Reply against India. She stated that New Delhi has turned disinformation tactics into a tool of diplomacy while actively using state-sponsored terrorism as an official policy mechanism. According to Pakistan, India’s network of violence has expanded from a regional concern to a global issue.
Saleem highlighted high-profile cases involving foreign soil, including the assassination plot targeting a Sikh leader in the United States involving Nikhil Gupta, as well as similar operational activities reported in Canada. She also referenced former Indian naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav, who remains convicted in Pakistan on charges of terrorism and espionage. She emphasized that India continuously seeks international sympathy while secretly financing and orchestrating subversion across borders.
The Pakistani counsellor noted that the country has endured immense losses due to external destabilization, claiming over 100,000 lives lost alongside massive economic setbacks amounting to billions of dollars. Despite these sacrifices, Pakistan’s extensive counterterrorism efforts have received worldwide recognition. Addressing the ongoing dispute over Jammu and Kashmir, she reiterated that IIOJK is an internationally acknowledged disputed region and has never been an integral part of India.
Furthermore, she criticized the ruling political setup in India for enforcing Hindutva ideology, which has led to severe institutionalized discrimination and violence against minority communities including Muslims, Christians, and Sikhs. Regarding regional resource stability, Saleem warned against attempts to weaponize the Indus Waters Treaty, stating that international credibility cannot be sustained through false narratives. Overall, Pakistan urged the international community to hold India accountable for its aggressive policy posture.
