Democracy, an 'alien concept' for Pakistan, must end atrocities in occupied areas: India at UNSC Open Debate

India, on Friday, asserted that democracy is an 'alien concept' for Pakistan, and called upon the neighboring nation to stop grave human rights violations in illegally occupied territories. Adding that the population in these regions is in "open revolt" against military occupation, repression, brutality, and exploitation. 

The remarks were made by India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, while responding to the references by Pakistan's envoy at the UN Security Council's Open Debate on 'The United Nations Organisation: Looking into the Future."

He said, "The people of Jammu and Kashmir exercise their fundamental rights in accordance with India's time-tested democratic traditions and constitutional framework." 

"We, of course, know that these are concepts alien to Pakistan." 

The ambassador reaffirmed that Jammu and Kashmir "has been, is, and will always be" an integral and inalienable part of India. 

Harish stated, "We call upon Pakistan to end the grave and ongoing human rights violations in the areas illegally occupied by it, where the population is in open revolt against Pakistan's military occupation, repression, brutality, and illegal exploitation of resources." 

He also urged the UN to undertake "real, comprehensive reforms", for the 80-year-old UNSC architecture no longer reflects contemporary geopolitical realities. 

He said, "An outdated council architecture that mirrors geopolitical realities of 1945 is not equipped to handle the challenges of 2025." Adding that there must be an expansion in both permanent and non-permanent categories through "time-bound" and "text-based negotiations." 

Highlighting that the Global South must have a greater voice in global decision-making, Harish added that "postponing reforms indefinitely does immense disservice to our citizens, especially in the Global South. This bloc of countries represents the overwhelming proportion of humanity and has its unique set of challenges, particularly in the areas of development, climate, and financing."