India reiterates opposition to elections in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan
India on Friday delivered a strong rebuttal to Pakistan at the United Nations, rejecting what it described as “unwarranted references” to Jammu and Kashmir and reaffirming that the Union Territory remains an integral and inalienable part of the country.
Speaking during a United Nations General Assembly session, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, P Harish, criticised Pakistan for repeatedly raising the Kashmir issue on international platforms and accused Islamabad of promoting misleading narratives.
“All matters pertaining to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir are strictly internal to India. Jammu and Kashmir is and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India,” Harish said.
He added that any claims questioning India’s sovereignty over the region were without merit and contradicted historical facts.
“Any assertions to the contrary are baseless, devoid of and inconsistent with historical facts. Empty rhetoric and hollow claims by Pakistan would not change this fundamental reality,” he stated.
Harish was responding to remarks made by Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, during discussions on the Security Council’s Annual Report to the General Assembly.
Taking aim at Pakistan’s conduct as a current member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), Harish said Islamabad carried a significant responsibility but continued to misuse international forums for political purposes.
“Pakistan has decided not to spare this forum either from their characteristic misuse of august UN platforms for their divisive political interests,” he said.
Pakistan is currently serving a two-year term as a non-permanent member of the Security Council, which concludes later this year.
PR @AmbHarishP delivered 🇮🇳’s statement at the @UN General Assembly Plenary on Annual Report of the Security Council.
Full remarks here: https://t.co/7ezoeMjYJ1
@MEAIndia @IndianDiplomacy @PMOIndia @PIB_India pic.twitter.com/QWaDkTacmm— India at UN, NY (@IndiaUNNewYork) June 5, 2026
India protests Gilgit-Baltistan elections
Separately, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) lodged a strong protest against Pakistan’s decision to conduct general elections for the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly on June 7.
India reiterated that Gilgit-Baltistan forms part of the Indian territory that remains under Pakistan’s “illegal and forcible occupation.”
In a statement, the MEA said Pakistan’s actions could not alter the legal status of the region and accused Islamabad of attempting to legitimise its control through political processes.
“The Government of India categorically rejects any attempts by Pakistan to bring material change to areas under Pakistan’s illegal occupation and underlines that such actions cannot hide the fact that Pakistan illegally remains in possession of Indian territories, which it must vacate,” the ministry said.
The MEA also highlighted concerns over alleged human rights violations, political repression and economic exploitation in the territories under Pakistan’s control.
According to the ministry, such electoral exercises cannot obscure the underlying issues faced by residents of the region.
Pakistan, however, dismissed India’s objections. In a statement, its Foreign Office said Islamabad “categorically rejects India’s baseless remarks” regarding the upcoming elections in Gilgit-Baltistan.
The exchange marks the latest episode in the long-standing diplomatic dispute between the two neighbours over Jammu and Kashmir and territories under Pakistan’s control.
For all the latest updates, download PGurus App.
