India slammed Pakistan at the UN Security Council meeting on Tuesday for continuing to sponsor cross-border terrorism which was coming in the way of initiating a meaningful dialogue between the two countries.
"India desires normal neighbourly relations with all countries including Pakistan, and is committed to addressing outstanding issues, if any, bilaterally and peacefully in accordance with the Simla Agreement and the Lahore declaration," Counsellor in India's Permanent Mission to the UN Kajal Bhat said in the UN Security Council.
"However, any meaningful dialogue can be held only in an atmosphere free of terror, hostility and violence. The onus is on Pakistan to create such a conducive atmosphere. Till then India will continue to take firm and decisive steps to respond to cross-border terrorism," she explained.
India also accused Pakistan of misusing the UN platform for pushing its false propaganda on Kashmir.
"This is not the first time the representative of Pakistan has misused platforms provided by the UN to propagate false and malicious propaganda against my country and seeking in vain to divert the world's attention from the sad state of his country where terrorists enjoy a free pass while the lives of ordinary people, especially those belonging to the minority communities are turned upside down," the Indian counsellor said.
She was speaking after after Pakistan's Ambassador to the UN, Munir Akram, harped on Jammu and Kashmir during the open debate on ''Maintenance of International Peace and Security Through Preventive Diplomacy''.
Bhat, who is from Jammu and Kashmir, pointed out that Pakistan has an "established history and policy" of harbouring, aiding and actively supporting terrorists.
"This is a country which has been globally recognised as one openly supporting, training, financing and arming terrorists as a matter of state policy. It holds the ignoble record of hosting the largest number of terrorists proscribed by the UN Security Council."
Categorically stating India's position, she said the entire union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh were, are and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India. "This includes the areas that are under the illegal occupation of Pakistan."
Bhat also stated that Pakistan must immediately vacate all Indian territory that is under its illegal occupation.
