New Delhi, April 29 - India on Tuesday slammed Pakistan at the United Nations over the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 tourists were shot dead. India said Pakistan is a "state in violation of international law" which fuels global terrorism and incites instability in the region. The whole world cannot turn a blind eye any longer, it said.
Exercising her right of reply after the Pakistani delegation's statement at the inauguration of the Victims of Terrorism Association Network (VoTAN) at the UN, India's Deputy Permanent Representative and Ambassador to the United Nations Yojana Patel asserted that the whole world cannot turn a blind eye any longer to Pakistan's support for terrorism. Patel also cited Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif's recent interview to strengthen India's case on the issue. Khawaja had also admitted to supporting terror groups against India in this interview.
Patel said, “It is very unfortunate that a particular delegation has misused this platform to make baseless allegations and propaganda against India. The whole world has recently heard Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif admitting Pakistan’s history of providing financial support to training terrorist organisations in a TV interview.”
The Indian envoy said that this open confession did not surprise anyone and “exposed Pakistan as a rogue state, which is fuelling global terrorism and destabilising the region.” India said that the whole world cannot turn a blind eye now, amid growing demands to work diplomatically at the United Nations to declare Pakistan a state sponsor of terrorism.
In his inaugural address at the event, Patel spoke about the Pahalgam attack and said that India has been a victim of cross-border terrorism for decades and understands the importance of counter-terrorism initiatives. Speaking about the Pahalgam attack, India's Deputy Ambassador to the UN
"The Pahalgam terror attack represents the highest civilian casualties since the horrific 26/11 Mumbai attacks in 2008.
"Having borne the brunt of cross-border terrorism for decades, India understands that such acts have a long-term impact on the victims, their families and society."
"India's Deputy Ambassador to the UN said that India appreciates the strong and unequivocal support received from world leaders and governments in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack. Patel said, "This is a testament to the international community's zero tolerance towards terrorism."
"All forms of terrorism must be condemned," he said. Patel said that the establishment of the Victims of Terrorism Association (VoTAN) is an important step, which will ensure a structured and safe space for victims to be heard and supported. “India believes that initiatives like VoTAN are essential to strengthen the global response to terrorism,” Patel said.