India has formally accused Pakistan of arming and training the terrorists responsible for the mass displacement of Kashmiri Pandits in 1990. During a session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Indian diplomat Kshitij Tyagi delivered a sharp rebuttal to Islamabad’s recent remarks regarding the region, asserting that Pakistan lacks the moral standing to address the issue given its long history of supporting cross-border militancy.
Addressing the council, Tyagi stated, “This Council does not need Pakistan to explain it. It happened in 1990, to the Kashmiri Pandits, driven from their homes by terrorists Pakistan armed, trained, and sent across the border.” He further noted that the same militant groups have since targeted Kashmiris of all faiths, including a significant number of Muslims. Tyagi described Pakistan’s call for an inquiry into the region as ironic, given its role in the initial crisis.
Reiterating India’s long-standing position, the diplomat emphasized that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. He called on Pakistan to vacate the territory it currently occupies, labeling it the only part of the region under foreign occupation. The 1990 exodus remains a defining tragedy for the Kashmir Valley, triggered by a campaign of targeted killings against the Hindu minority that began in 1989. While tens of thousands of Pandits fled the region, the subsequent violence has claimed thousands of lives across all communities.
Beyond the historical context, Tyagi highlighted the current internal situation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, citing reports of civilian fatalities, the detention of students in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, and severe shortages of essential supplies like food and medicine. He argued that Pakistan’s domestic record regarding minorities stands in stark contrast to India’s, where he noted that Muslim citizens actively participate in the judiciary, legislature, and other key institutions.
In contrast, Tyagi pointed to the shrinking populations of Hindu, Sikh, and Christian communities in Pakistan since 1947. He cited systemic issues including the forced conversion of women, the misuse of blasphemy laws, and ongoing attacks against Shia, Ahmadi, Ismaili, and Hazara groups. “A State with that record is in no position to lecture anyone on minorities,” he said.
Concluding his address, the Indian diplomat urged Pakistan to prioritize the economic development of its own citizens rather than engaging in territorial disputes or the export of terrorism. He suggested that such theatrics at the UN would not assist the country in addressing its significant economic challenges and foreign debt.
