India Tells UN Trust Is Essential for Indus Waters Treaty Cooperation, Slams Pakistan Over Terrorism

By R Anil Kumar

• India slams Pakistan over IWT issue at UNSC, says state-sponsored cross-border terrorism erodes basis for cooperation

• Indian envoy says cross-border terrorism undermines cooperation, reiterates Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India

New York/Bengaluru. India on July 22, reiterated its position on the Indus Waters Treaty and Jammu and Kashmir during a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) debate, asserting that meaningful cooperation cannot exist in an atmosphere where cross-border terrorism is used as an instrument of state policy.

India strongly criticised Pakistan at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), accusing it of using cross-border terrorism as an “instrument of State policy” and reiterating that Jammu and Kashmir “has always been, is, and will remain” an integral and inalienable part of India.

The remarks were made by India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, during the High-Level Open Debate of the UN Security Council on “Natural Resources Governance: The Foundation of Peace, Security and Prosperity.”

Responding to Pakistan’s intervention, Harish accused Islamabad of misusing the forum to advance what he described as a “false narrative.”

“It was not our intention to bring other issues into this forum, but my delegation is compelled to respond to Pakistan, as it has chosen to misuse today’s discussion to peddle its false narrative,” he said.

Referring to Jammu and Kashmir, the envoy said, “For the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, it has always been, is, and will remain an integral and inalienable part of India. This is the constitutional and legal reality that Pakistan deliberately chooses to ignore.”

Harish added that the “only outstanding issue” relating to Jammu and Kashmir was what he termed Pakistan’s “naked aggression and illegal occupation of India’s sovereign territory.”

On the Indus Waters Treaty, the Indian envoy said New Delhi’s position remained unchanged, asserting that meaningful cooperation requires mutual trust and goodwill.

“Our position on the Indus Water Treaty remains clear and consistent. Cooperation on the basis of mutual trust and goodwill cannot be expected when cross-border terrorism is regularly deployed as an instrument of State policy,” he said.

In his remarks, Harish urged Pakistan to focus on addressing its domestic challenges instead of criticising India.

“Instead of pointing fingers at India, Pakistan would serve itself and its people far better by putting its own house in order,” he said.

Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, said trust and goodwill are essential for bilateral cooperation, particularly on matters such as water-sharing agreements.

Responding to remarks made by Pakistan during the session, Harish accused Islamabad of misusing the UN platform to advance what he described as a false narrative. He stated that India had not intended to raise bilateral issues during the debate but was compelled to respond after Pakistan’s intervention.

On the Indus Waters Treaty, Harish said India’s position remains consistent, emphasizing that cooperation based on mutual trust and goodwill cannot be expected when terrorism continues to affect bilateral relations. He stressed that peaceful cooperation and cross-border terrorism cannot coexist.

The envoy also urged Pakistan to focus on addressing its own internal challenges rather than raising issues concerning India at international forums. According to Harish, strengthening governance within Pakistan would better serve its people than making allegations against India on global platforms.

India’s remarks came during the Security Council debate after Pakistan raised bilateral issues, prompting New Delhi to reiterate its longstanding stance on the Indus Waters Treaty, terrorism and the status of Jammu and Kashmir.