New Delhi:

India issued a stern warning to Pakistan today at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) following Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s speech, in which he raised the Jammu and Kashmir issue. India firmly responded by stating that Pakistan’s continued support for cross-border terrorism will “inevitably invite consequences.”

India’s First Secretary to the UN, Bhavika Mangalanandan, delivered a pointed rebuttal alleging Pakistan’s complicity in global terrorism and citing its long history of using cross-border terrorism as a state policy. Ms Mangalanandan’s statement came in response to Mr Sharif’s call for India to reverse its 2019 abrogation of Article 370, which revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, and his demands for a dialogue between the two countries.

“This Assembly regrettably witnessed a travesty this morning. A country run by the military, with a global reputation for terrorism, narcotics trade and transnational crime has had the audacity to attack the world’s largest democracy,” Ms Mangalanandan said. “The world can see for itself what Pakistan really is.”

Watch: India exercises its Right of Reply at the 79th session of the @UN General Assembly debate.@DrSJaishankar@MEAIndiapic.twitter.com/c6g4HAKTBg

— India at UN, NY (@IndiaUNNewYork) September 28, 2024

The First Secretary described Mr Sharif’s speech as audacious, given Pakistan’s international “reputation for terrorism”, narcotics trade, and transnational crime. “A country run by the military, with a global reputation for terrorism…has had the audacity to attack the world’s largest democracy,” she said, referencing attacks orchestrated by Pakistan-based terror groups, including the 2001 Indian Parliament attack and the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

Ms Mangalanandan said Pakistan’s “fingerprints” are on many terrorist incidents across the world.  “Perhaps it should come as no surprise that its prime minister would so speak in this hallowed hall. Yet we must make clear how unacceptable his words are to all of us. We know that Pakistan will seek to counter the truth with more lies. Repetition will change nothing. Our stand is clear and needs no reiteration,” she said.

India reiterated that any discussion of a “Strategic Restraint Regime” with Pakistan is moot unless terrorism is eradicated. Ms Mangalanandan noted, “There can be no compact with terrorism.” She also spoke of Pakistan’s past, including its hosting of Osama bin Laden and connections to various terrorist incidents worldwide.

Mr Sharif, in his speech, linked the Kashmir issue with regional peace. He also alleged that India’s military expansion was directed against Pakistan. However, Ms Mangalanandan pointed out Pakistan’s history of meddling in Jammu and Kashmir through terrorism, seeking to disrupt the democratic process in the region.

India’s response extended beyond terrorism to Pakistan’s internal issues. Ms Mangalanandan accused Pakistan of human rights abuses, referring to the genocide of 1971 in Bangladesh and its persecution of minorities. She called it “ridiculous” for Pakistan to lecture the world about intolerance, given its own record.

Pakistan responded with a Right of Reply, rejecting India’s claims as “baseless and misleading,” and reiterated its call for a referendum in Jammu and Kashmir, as per UN Security Council resolutions. 

Wilmington, US:

US President Joe Biden has told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the United States supports initiatives to reform global institutions to reflect India’s important voice, including permanent membership for India in a “reformed” United Nations Security Council (UNSC). President Biden’s statement came during the Quad Leaders Summit attended by PM Modi, Japan’s PM Fumio Kishida and Australia’s Anthony Albanese on Sunday. 

The Quad leaders vowed support to reform the UNSC through expansion in permanent and non-permanent categories of membership. In a joint statement, the leaders said that the India-US partnership “is vital to the success of efforts to build a cleaner, inclusive, more secure, and more prosperous future for the planet.” 

President Biden commended India’s leadership, particularly PM Modi’s role in the G-20 and the Global South and acknowledged the PM’s recent visits to Poland and Ukraine. The discussion around India’s potential inclusion as a permanent member of the UNSC is part of a larger conversation about reforming global institutions to reflect current geopolitical realities. India, with its large population, expanding economy, and active role in international peacekeeping and diplomacy, has long advocated for such reforms. 

“The Leaders reaffirmed their support for the freedom of navigation and the protection of commerce, including critical maritime routes in the Middle East where India will assume co-lead in 2025 of the Combined Task Force 150 to work with Combined Maritime Forces to secure sea lanes in the Arabian Sea,” the joint statement added.

During the Quad summit, PM Modi reiterated the importance of a “free, open, inclusive, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.” PM Modi highlighted several initiatives, including collaborations in health security, emerging technologies, and climate change, aimed at addressing global challenges. He described the Quad as a “force for global good,” committed to fostering cooperation for the benefit of all.

The US and India are working together to expand clean energy manufacturing and strengthen their technological and industrial bases. The Biden administration has announced plans to unlock $1 billion in new multilateral financing through the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) for clean energy projects in India. 

Prime Minister Modi announced a $7.5 million grant for cancer testing, screening, and diagnostics in the Indo-Pacific region. The grant forms part of India’s broader ‘One Earth, One Health’ vision, which seeks to share India’s expertise in healthcare and provide assistance in areas such as radiotherapy and capacity building.

The US and India also announced advancements in technology and defence cooperation. The Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) continues to strengthen strategic ties between the two nations in key technology sectors, including semiconductors. A new semiconductor fabrication plant will be established, supported by India’s Semiconductor Mission and a partnership with US companies like Bharat Semi and 3rdiTech.

In defence, the two countries have deepened industrial cooperation, with projects such as the co-development of unmanned surface vehicle systems by Liquid Robotics and Sagar Defence Engineering.