Pakistan 'misusing platforms' to spread propaganda: India at UN

The Indian government represented by Kajal Bhat, Counsellor in India's Permanent Mission to the UN, has asserted it's agenda to counter terrorism emanating from Pakistan and said that meaningful dialogue could only be held when there was mutual understanding, peace and tolerance on both sides.

Bhat also hit out out at Pakistan's envoy Munir Akam for raising the issue of Kashmir during the Security Council meeting, alleging that Pakistan 'had a history' of using platforms like this to spread allegations and "false and malicious" propaganda.

"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," Ms Bhat said, as quoted by NDTV.

"India desires normal neighbourly relations with all countries including Pakistan, and is committed to addressing outstanding issue if any, bilaterally and peacefully in accordance with the Simla Agreement and the Lahore declaration," Bhat declared earlier.

She also roundly criticised Pakistan's attempts to divert the issue to Kashmir by pointing out that the country was 'internationally-known' as a place which fostered and harboured known terrorists on its soil. Pakistan had the 'ignoble honour' of hosting the most number of terrorists recognised by the UN Security Council, she added.

Mrs Bhat, who hails from Kashmir herself, said that the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir were an inalienable and integral part of India and formally called for Pakistan's evacuation of what India terms 'illegally occupied' areas of Kashmir.