In another setback in its attempts to internationalise the Kashmir issue, Pakistan could not file any resolution on the issue at the ongoing UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva.
Pakistan had threatened to introduce a resolution for an urgent debate on Kashmir. The last date for introducing such a resolution was September 19.
The UN Human Rights Council session which began on September will continue until September 27.
Pakistan has been desperate since the Centre decided to abolish the special status of Jammu and Kashmir granted under Article 370 of the Constitution and bifurcated the state on August 5.
At the 42nd session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on September 10, Pakistan tried to present a false narrative on Kashmir with its Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi stating that the Valley had been converted into the “largest prison” with people being denied access to basic amenities following the abrogation of Article 370.
Pakistan had also asked the UNHRC to conduct an international investigation, urging the world rights body not to remain “indifferent” over India’s move on Kashmir.
However, the Indian delegation led by Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs Vijay Thakur Singh, effectively rebutted Pakistan’s allegations on human rights violations in Kashmir.
India said there was a need to call out those who are “misusing” the United Nations Human Rights Council platform for “malicious political agenda under the garb of human rights.”
Singh later met UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet and briefed her on the steps taken by New Delhi to bring about normalcy in the Valley.
She also conveyed to Bachelet about India’s concerns on the threats posed by cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan.
Pakistan had knocked the doors of the UNHRC after it failed to gain global attention on Kashmir issue at the UNSC.
Meanwhile, India is pulling out all the stops to counter the Pakistani narrative on Jammu and Kashmir at the UNGA meeting on 27 September.
Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan are scheduled to speak at the UNGA. With Khan declaring his resolve to highlight Kashmir in his speech, India is gearing up to rebut him point by point.