Kashmir Will Forever Be India's Integral Part, Envoy Parvathaneni Harish Tells Pakistan at UNSC

India on Wednesday strongly criticised Pakistan at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), accusing Islamabad of using cross-border terrorism as an instrument of state policy. New Delhi also reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir will continue to remain an integral and inseparable part of India. The statement was delivered by India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, during a high-level UNSC open debate on “Natural Resources Governance: The Foundation of Peace, Security and Prosperity.”

Responding to Pakistan’s remarks during the discussion, Harish said India was compelled to address the issue after Islamabad allegedly used the forum to promote what he described as a “false narrative” on Kashmir. “Although it was not our intention to bring unrelated matters into this discussion, we are compelled to respond as Pakistan has chosen to misuse this platform,” the Indian envoy said.

Reaffirming India’s position on Jammu and Kashmir, Harish stated that the Union Territory has always been, and will continue to be, an integral and inalienable part of India. He added that Pakistan deliberately ignores the constitutional and legal realities surrounding the region. The ambassador further asserted that the only unresolved matter concerning Jammu and Kashmir was Pakistan’s alleged “illegal occupation” of Indian territory.

Addressing the Indus Waters Treaty, Harish said India’s position remains unchanged, arguing that meaningful cooperation requires mutual trust and goodwill. He accused Pakistan of repeatedly relying on cross-border terrorism as a state policy tool, making genuine cooperation difficult. Concluding his remarks, the Indian envoy advised Pakistan to focus on addressing its own domestic challenges rather than criticising other nations. “Instead of blaming India, Pakistan would benefit more by resolving its internal issues and working for the welfare of its own people,” Harish said.