India has suffered from terrorist attacks carried out by Pakistan-based groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed. It is highly ironic that a country known as a global epicentre of terrorism praises itself for fighting against it, India's representative said at a UN Security Council meeting chaired by China.

India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish responded with strong words after Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed Ishaq Dar made comments regarding Jammu and Kashmir during an open debate on Tuesday on "Practicing multilateralism, reforming and improving global governance," which was hosted by China as the Council's president. "Pakistan is a global epicentre of terrorism harbouring more than 20 UN-listed terrorist entities and providing state support to cross-border terrorism," Harish said. "Hence it is a supreme irony when Pakistan pats itself on the back as being at the forefront of the fight against terrorism. India has been a victim of acts of terror perpetrated by this country through terror groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed and Harkat Ul Mujahidin, among dozens of others,” he added.

Several terrorist groups and individuals based in Pakistan are listed under the UN Security Council's 1267 Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee. As a result, their assets are frozen, they are banned from travelling, and they cannot receive weapons. In the past, China, which supports Pakistan when it suits its interests, has often blocked or delayed India's efforts, along with its allies like the US, to blacklist Pakistan-based terrorists at the UN. Harish emphasised that terrorism, in any form or for any reason, can never be justified. "No political grievance can justify terrorism perpetrated against innocent civilians. This august body can make no distinction between good and bad terrorists,” he said emphasising that Dar should take note of this and not further waste the time of the Council. "Jammu and Kashmir have been, is, and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India," Harish said, adding that Pakistan, on the contrary, is the one illegally occupying parts of the region.

"Pakistan's campaigns of misinformation and disinformation, of lies and falsehoods, do not change facts on the ground,” said Harish. Harish mentioned that during the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections held in September-October last year, people actively participated and voted in large numbers to elect their government. "The choice of the people of Jammu & Kashmir was loud and clear. Democracy in Jammu and Kashmir is vibrant and strong, unlike in Pakistan,” he said.