Geneva: Tensions between India and Pakistan echoed through the halls of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) this week, as New Delhi condemned Islamabad for carrying out airstrikes that reportedly targeted civilians in Pakistan’s own Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
During the ongoing 56th session of the UNHRC, Indian diplomat Kshitij Tyagi delivered a sharp response under Agenda Item 4, which addresses human rights violations around the globe. Tyagi criticized Pakistan’s recent actions, highlighting what he described as a pattern of internal repression and misplaced priorities.
VIDEO | New York: At UN, India slams Pakistan over air attack on civilians in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Speaking during Agenda Item 4 of the UNHRC session, Indian diplomat Kshitij Tyagi said, “Instead of coveting our territory, they would do well to vacate the Indian territory under… pic.twitter.com/kO1PpSblLT
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 24, 2025
Referring to reports of Pakistani air raids in its tribal areas, Tyagi remarked, “Rather than obsessing over territories that do not belong to them, Pakistan should begin by withdrawing from the Indian lands it unlawfully occupies. Perhaps then it can redirect its attention toward stabilizing its crumbling economy, restoring democratic norms suppressed by military influence, and addressing its dismal human rights record.”
He further accused Pakistan of perpetuating instability, stating that the country “continues to shelter UN-designated terrorists, spread cross-border extremism, and now, in a shocking move, turns its weapons inward on its own population.”
The comments come amid international scrutiny over air operations reportedly carried out by Pakistan’s military in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a region already marred by insurgency and long-standing grievances against state-led violence. Civilian casualties from these operations have sparked protests and condemnation from human rights advocates, both domestically and abroad.
India’s sharp rebuttal also served as a broader denunciation of Pakistan’s long-standing narrative on Kashmir. Tyagi reiterated India’s stance that Pakistan’s claims are not only baseless but also deflect from pressing issues within its own borders.
The Pakistani delegation has yet to formally respond to India’s remarks at the UN session.
This latest diplomatic exchange reflects the ongoing strain in Indo-Pak relations, where human rights forums often serve as a stage for both nations to contest each other’s policies and conduct.
As the session continues, attention remains focused on how international bodies and member states respond to allegations of civilian harm in conflict zones — whether abroad or within a country’s own territory.
