UN: India delivered a sharp and factual rebuttal to Pakistan at the United Nations Security Council, accusing Islamabad of decades-long support for cross-border terrorism and violating the spirit of bilateral agreements, including the Indus Water Treaty.
Speaking during an open debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, condemned Pakistan’s hypocrisy in raising concerns about civilian protection while itself being a perpetrator of terror-fueled violence against civilians.
Ambassador Harish said India has endured “decades of Pakistani-sponsored terrorist attacks,” ranging from the 2008 Mumbai attacks to the recent brutal killing of innocent tourists in Pahalgam in April 2025. He also referred to deliberate shelling by the Pakistani army targeting Indian border villages earlier this month.
“Pakistan has consistently used civilian cover to shield and promote terrorism,” Harish stated. “Just recently, we saw senior Pakistani officials, including those from the government, police, and military, publicly honour slain terrorists during the funeral of operatives killed in Operation Sindoor. A country that makes no distinction between civilians and terrorists has no moral authority to speak about protecting civilians.”
In a separate session focused on water security in conflict zones—held under the Area Formula Meeting of the Security Council—India hit back at Pakistan’s “baseless propaganda” over the Indus Water Treaty. Responding to Islamabad’s claims that India violated the treaty, Harish reminded the global body that it was Pakistan that had repeatedly undermined the agreement’s founding principles.
“The preamble of the 65-year-old Indus Water Treaty clearly states it was signed in a spirit of goodwill and cooperation,” said Harish. “That spirit has been consistently violated by Pakistan through three wars and thousands of terror attacks on India. Despite this, India has shown restraint and responsibility.”
India has recently suspended the Indus Water Treaty following the Pahalgam terror attack. Harish revealed that India had made multiple proposals to revise the treaty in light of modern technologies and dam safety needs, all of which were flatly rejected by Pakistan.
He also criticized Pakistan for obstructing upgrades to aging dams, even when such enhancements were permitted under the treaty. “While technology has evolved to improve dam safety and operations, Pakistan continues to oppose these necessary changes, putting millions at risk,” he noted.
Ambassador Harish concluded by stating that until Pakistan halts its support for terrorism, India cannot be expected to honour treaties that are being exploited as diplomatic tools by a country that has turned terror into state policy.
