New York, May 24 (HS): India issued a strong rebuttal to Pakistan’s disinformation concerning the Indus Waters Treaty during a United Nations meeting. Ambassador Pravenani Harish, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, highlighted Pakistan’s hypocrisy, emphasizing its violations of the treaty’s spirit through three wars and numerous terrorist attacks against India. He criticized Pakistan’s delegation for spreading misinformation and defended India’s adherence to its treaty responsibilities, noting that India has historically acted in goodwill.

During the UN Security Council meeting focused on Water Security amid Armed Conflicts, Harish outlined four key points regarding Pakistan’s misleading claims. He recounted the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which led India to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960. This attack resulted in the deaths of 26 tourists, underscoring the ongoing threat posed by terrorism. Harish reiterated that India embraced the treaty 65 years ago based on principles of goodwill and friendship, yet Pakistan has consistently undermined these tenets through acts of aggression.

Despite over 20,000 Indian lives lost to terrorism over four decades, including the recent Pahalgam incident, India has exhibited remarkable patience and generosity. However, the persistent threat of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism continues to endanger the lives of Indian citizens and disrupt communal harmony. Harish pointed out Pakistan’s recent tributes to deceased terrorists and its military’s targeting of Indian villages, emphasizing its failure to distinguish between combatants and civilians. He noted past requests for treaty discussions that Pakistan has repeatedly rejected. As a result, Harish declared that the treaty suspension would remain until Pakistan renounces its support for cross-border terrorism, firmly stating India’s position amid accusations raised by Pakistan’s UN ambassador regarding Kashmir.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar