India on Friday launched a sharp diplomatic offensive at the United Nations, calling on Pakistan to immediately halt the “grave and ongoing human rights violations” in the regions of Jammu and Kashmir that remain under its illegal occupation.
Speaking at the UN Security Council’s Open Debate on “The United Nations Organization: Looking into the Future”,
India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, reaffirmed New Delhi’s unwavering position on Kashmir and simultaneously urged the UN to undertake a fundamental overhaul to remain relevant in a changing world order.
The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has been, is, and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India,” Harish declared.
“The people of Jammu and Kashmir exercise their fundamental rights within India’s robust democratic and constitutional framework.”
In a strongly worded statement, the envoy accused Pakistan of military occupation, systemic repression, and resource exploitation in the territories it holds unlawfully.
“We know these are concepts alien to Pakistan,” Harish said pointedly, adding, “We call upon Pakistan to end the continuing human rights abuses and the brutal suppression of people who are openly resisting its occupation.”
The remarks came just weeks after India had condemned Islamabad for engaging in what it called “systematic genocide” and using “misdirection and hyperbole” to distract the world from its own atrocities.
India’s Hard-Hitting Message to the United Nations
Harish also used the platform to deliver a powerful critique of the UN itself, warning that the global body had “lost its unique identity and foundational focus”, and had become increasingly consumed by bureaucratic introspection rather than addressing urgent global challenges.
The High-Level Week of the General Assembly last month was inward-looking — dominated by debates about shrinking budgets and bureaucratic restructuring.
It is time to go beyond pennies and posts, and craft a new vision for the UN,” he emphasized.
Key Points from India’s Address at the UN Debate
Outdated Security Council Structure
India called the current UN Security Council framework “archaic,” arguing that it mirrors the geopolitical realities of 1945, not 2025.
Postponing reforms indefinitely in the name of procedure and process does a grave disservice to our citizens — especially those in the Global South,” Harish said. A Voice for the Global South
Harish pressed for inclusive and democratic global decision-making, pointing out that the Global South represents the overwhelming majority of humanity, yet continues to face unique developmental challenges.
The voices of the Global South must be central to shaping our collective future,” he added.
Strengthening UN Peacekeeping Operations
Highlighting India’s decades-long commitment to UN peacekeeping, Harish called for practical mandates, better resource allocation, and the integration of modern technology.
India has deployed over 290,000 peacekeepers in more than 50 missions since the 1950s — one of the largest contributions globally. Currently, over 5,000 Indian troops serve in nine active missions.
Revitalizing the UN General Assembly (UNGA)
India underscored the need to revitalize the UNGA, urging greater synergy between the General Assembly and the Security Council to enhance global governance.
The General Assembly must reclaim its vitality and purpose — not as a debating chamber, but as a platform for action,” Harish said.
A Call for Unity Beyond Politics
In a world fractured by polarization and conflict, Harish appealed to nations to put aside parochial politics and restore the UN’s role as the primary vehicle for global cooperation.
Let us not weaken the UN deliberately or allow it to wither,” he warned. “We must nurture it purposefully and harvest its fruits for the good of humanity.”
India’s message at the UN thus carried a dual resonance — a firm reminder of its sovereignty over Jammu and Kashmir, and a vision for reinvigorating the multilateral order to better represent the aspirations of the developing world.
As global institutions grapple with crises of legitimacy, India’s call for bold reform and moral clarity may well find increasing resonance among nations seeking fairness and balance in global governance.
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