Syed Akbaruddin asked Pakistan to abandon it's futile quest for Kashmir
Highlights
- India's ambassador to UN Syed Akbaruddin slams Pakistan
- Jammu and Kashmir is, will remain part of India: Syed Akbaruddin
- India criticses Security Council for lack of coherent policy on terror
As Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif spoke of Kashmir and eulogized terrorist Burhan Wani to a domestic audience, India made a scathing statement today at the United Nations, describing the neighbouring country's approach as an "anachronistic" one that is past its "sell-by date".
Speaking at the UN General Assembly, India's permanent ambassador to UN Syed Akbaruddin said India's response to Pakistan remains consistent.
"Abandon your futile quest. Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and will remain so. No amount of misuse of international fora by Pakistan will change that reality," he said.
In sharp criticism to the functioning of the United Nations, especially of its Security Council, Mr Akbaruddin said on the the issue of terrorism, the UN is "yet to come up with a coherent policy, let alone take the lead on one of the biggest threats to global peace and security".
Despite 20 years of talks, there is no international norm to "prosecute or extradite terrorists". The "inability to address what is amongst the most dangerous of scourges faced by States and societies since World War II raises questions about the relevance of our organization," he added.
His comments came days after foreign minister Sushma Swaraj's scathing indictment of Pakistan from the same podium. It was also the one where Nawaz Sharif made his appeal for intervention that was largely ignored by the international community.
Today Mr Sharif addressed a domestic audience - at a joint session of Pakistan's parliament - where he spoke of Burhan Wani and made jibes at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement.
"Burhan's Wani's martyrdom got Kashmir's movement to a turning point. Killing innocent people can't stop this movement now," he said.
Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech last month challenging Pakistan to a contest over eradicating poverty and other social ills, Mr Sharif added, "If they (Indian leaders) want us to fight them to end poverty, then they should realise that poverty cannot be eradicated by driving tanks on farmlands."