India today slammed Pakistan saying the country was a “failed state that thrives on instability and survives on international handouts”. The sharp retort came during the seventh session of the 58th UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC). India’s response came as…

India today slammed Pakistan saying the country was a “failed state that thrives on instability and survives on international handouts”. The sharp retort came during the seventh session of the 58th UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

India’s response came as a right of reply to what it called “baseless and malicious references” made by Pakistan at the UNHRC. Kshitij Tyagi, representative of India’s Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva, blamed Pakistan for propagating falsehoods as dictated by its terrorist-military complex.

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He censured Pakistan for abusing the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation as a propaganda mouthpiece.

Reasserting India’s stance regarding J&K and Ladakh, Tyagi said the region shall forever be a part of India. He said political, social and economic advancement in J&K in recent years was a testament to India’s abiding commitment towards development and stability. India also pointed to Pakistan’s record of human rights abuses, blaming it for persecuting minorities, undermining democratic values and sheltering UN-designated terrorists.

“As a country where human rights abuses, persecution of minorities and systematic erosion of democratic values constitute state policies and which brazenly harbours UN-sanctioned terrorists, Pakistan is in no position to lecture anyone,” Tyagi said.

He also challenged Pakistan to move away from its “unhealthy obsession” with India and look towards tackling its internal failure and crisis in governance.

“India remains focused on democracy, progress and ensuring dignity for its people — values that Pakistan would do well to learn from,” he said.