India Tells Pakistan to Leave Occupied Territories, Dismisses J&K Claims
India on Wednesday strongly rejected Pakistan’s allegations on Jammu and Kashmir at the High-Level Segment of the 55th Regular Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), calling Islamabad’s remarks “propaganda” and urging it to vacate territories under its “forcible occupation.”
Responding to references made by Pakistan and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), India’s First Secretary Anupama Singh said the comments reflected “envy” and did not merit serious consideration.
“The propaganda reeks of envy. India has no desire to dignify it, but will make a few points to dismantle it with facts,” she said.
Singh asserted that the only outstanding issue relating to Jammu and Kashmir was Pakistan’s “illegal occupation of Indian territories,” and called upon Islamabad to vacate areas under its control.
VIDEO | Switzerland: At the High-Level Segment of the 55th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council, First Secretary, Anupama Singh in Geneva, says, “India is compelled to exercise its right of reply in response to the references made during the high-level segment by… pic.twitter.com/uHOrmIEf4g
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 26, 2026
Taking aim at Pakistan’s criticism of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Singh cited record voter turnout in recent general and assembly elections in the Union Territory as evidence that residents had rejected “the ideology of terrorism and violence propagated by Pakistan” and were embracing democracy and development.
She also pointed to major infrastructure projects in the region, including the Chenab Rail Bridge — described as the world’s highest railway bridge — inaugurated last year. “If the Chenab Rail Bridge is considered fake, then Pakistan must be living in ‘La-La Land’,” she remarked.
Singh further contrasted Jammu and Kashmir’s development trajectory with Pakistan’s economic challenges, noting that the region’s developmental budget was more than double the recent bailout package Islamabad sought from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Responding to Pakistan’s comments on democratic processes, Singh said it was “hard to take lectures on democracy from a country where civilian governments rarely complete their terms,” according to news agency reports.
The specific contents of Pakistan’s and the OIC’s references during the session were not immediately available. However, India’s response marked a sharp diplomatic exchange at the UN body, reflecting continuing tensions between the two neighbours over Jammu and Kashmir.
The ongoing session of the UN Human Rights Council, being held in Geneva, is scheduled to continue through the end of the month.
For all the latest updates, download PGurus App.
- “Living in La-La Land”: India hits back at Pakistan at UNHRC - February 26, 2026
- PM Modi becomes first world leader to cross 100 million Instagram followers - February 26, 2026
- PM Modi arrives in Israel, says ‘extremely honoured’ by Netanyahu’s reception - February 25, 2026
