United Nations: India today slammed
Pakistan for sponsoring militancy and terrorism in Jammu and
Kashmir and said Islamabad should not impart lessons to it on
democracy and human rights.
Hitting back at Pakistan a day after its Foreign
Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi harped on giving the Kashmiri
people the right to "self-determination through plebiscite",
External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said Islamabad must stop
its state-sponsored militancy and terrorism in the state.
"Jammu & Kashmir, which is an integral part of India,
is the target of Pakistan-sponsored militancy and terrorism.
Pakistan must fulfill its solemn commitment of not allowing
territory under its control to be used for terrorism directed
against India," he said in his firmly worded speech at the
65th UN General Assembly session here.
Krishna said the "credible and firm action by Pakistan
against terrorist groups operating from its soil is in the
interest of the region as it is in Pakistan`s own interest."
Slamming Qureshi for his remark against Indian
security forces, Krishna said, "Pakistan cannot impart lessons
to us on democracy and human rights."
He said India was committed to good neighbourly
relations with all our neighbours, including Pakistan.
Krishna, however, emphasised that "Pakistan has to
live up to its commitment not to allow use of its soil by
terrorists acting against India."
This, he said, would significantly help reduce the
trust deficit that impedes the development of better bilateral
relations between our two countries.
Stating that there can be no justification for
terrorism just as there can be no good and bad terrorists,
Krishna said it has emerged as one of the most serious threats
to international peace and security.
"Acts of terrorism need to be condemned by all,
wherever and whenever they are committed, by whomsoever and
for whatever purposes. It is important for every Member State
of the UN to note that it is no longer possible to run with
the hare and hunt with the hounds.
"To defeat this scourge, it is imperative for the
global community to build on international cooperation and
take concerted action against terrorists and their sponsors,"
he said.
Speaking about the revamp of the UN, Krishna said, the
world body needs "urgent reform to reflect contemporary
realities and to effectively meet emerging global challenges."
"The UN, with its universal membership and equality of
nations, enjoys a unique legitimacy that requires it to be at
the centre of international governance. We must, therefore,
not just reaffirm the central role of the UN in global
governance but restore and reinforce it reflecting
contemporary realities," he said.
Krishna assured India`s commitment to the principles
and purposes of the United Nations, saying the UN should be at
the core of global governance and efforts to meet the
challenges of collective peace, security and development.
"The changes in the global geo-strategic order since
1945 have barely been reflected in the most vital of the UN`s
organs, charged with the maintenance of international peace
and security," he said.
"Developing countries contribute almost all the troops
that are part of the UN’s peacekeeping presence worldwide.
Yet, their voice on the Council’s high table on decisions
relating to international peace and security is barely
audible," the minister said.
He pointed out the example of Africa, which has no
permanent member in the Security Council, though it is seized
of conflicts in the continent.
"An overwhelming majority of the membership expressed
clear support for expansion in both the permanent and the
non-permanent categories of the Council along with an
improvement of its working methods. It is imperative that we
take these negotiations to an early and logical conclusion."
Krishna also said that India has an abiding commitment
for achieving universal, non-discriminatory nuclear
disarmament within a specified timeframe.
"We call for an intensification of discussion and
dialogue amongst Member States and the larger non-governmental
communities so as to strengthen the international consensus
that can be translated into concrete action on achieving
nuclear disarmament," he said.
"We remain committed to a unilateral and voluntary
moratorium on nuclear explosive testing," the minister said.
The External Affairs Minister lauded Afghanistan for
conducting parliamentary elections successfully, saying "We
believe the international community needs to be steadfast in
its engagement with Afghanistan to ensure the success of its
reconstruction efforts and its emergence as a democratic,
pluralistic and prosperous society.
"The continuing existence of safe havens and
sanctuaries for terrorists beyond Afghanistan`s borders is the
major impediment to the restoration of peace and security in
Afghanistan. This should be a primary focus of the
international community."
PTI
