FridayOL

New Delhi: In a scathing rebuke at the United Nations, India sharply criticized Pakistan for its alleged role in supporting terrorism and spreading disinformation regarding the Indus Waters Treaty. The criticism comes in the wake of a devastating terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam last month, which claimed the lives of over 20,000 Indians in recent years.

India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj, delivered a powerful statement highlighting Pakistan’s consistent failure to address cross-border terrorism. She asserted that Pakistan’s continued support for terrorist groups poses a grave threat to regional stability and security. The attack in Pahalgam, which resulted in significant casualties, served as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat.

“Pakistan’s deliberate attempts to distort facts and spread misinformation on the Indus Waters Treaty are deeply regrettable,” Ambassador Kamboj stated. “The treaty, a crucial agreement for water sharing between the two countries, has been exploited by Pakistan to deflect attention from its own culpability in fostering terrorism.”

The Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank in 1960, allocates the waters of the Indus River and its tributaries between India and Pakistan. Recent tensions have escalated as India has raised concerns about Pakistan’s management of the rivers and its alleged violation of the treaty’s provisions. Following the Pahalgam attack, India temporarily suspended the treaty, citing security concerns and the need to prevent further acts of terrorism.

India presented compelling evidence to the UN, detailing Pakistan’s history of supporting terrorist organizations and providing safe havens for them within its borders. The evidence included documented instances of Pakistani intelligence agencies assisting in terrorist training and funding. India also highlighted Pakistan’s reluctance to take meaningful action against known terrorists operating on its soil.

The international community has largely echoed India’s concerns regarding Pakistan’s role in perpetuating terrorism. Several countries have called on Pakistan to take decisive steps to dismantle terrorist networks and prevent cross-border attacks. The suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty has further strained relations between the two nations.

This latest confrontation at the UN underscores the complex and fraught relationship between India and Pakistan. While both countries have engaged in dialogue in the past, the issue of terrorism remains a significant obstacle to achieving lasting peace and stability in the region. India’s strong stance at the UN signals its determination to hold Pakistan accountable for its actions and to protect its own security interests.

The Pahalgam attack and the subsequent suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty have brought the long-standing dispute between India and Pakistan to a boiling point. Analysts predict that the two countries will continue to engage in diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue, but a breakthrough remains elusive until Pakistan demonstrates a genuine commitment to combating terrorism.

India’s message to Pakistan was clear: End the support for terrorism, adhere to international agreements, and engage in constructive dialogue. The future of India-Pakistan relations hinges on Pakistan’s willingness to heed this call.