United Nations, Oct 25: India has accused Pakistan of being unfamiliar with democratic values and operating under the shadow of its military, asserting that such a regime cannot comprehend the democratic aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, made the remarks during an open debate at the UN Security Council on the occasion of United Nations Day. “Concepts of democracy and constitution are alien to Pakistan that operates under the shadow of the military, and it can't understand how the ideals are integral to Kashmir,” Harish stated.

He reaffirmed that Jammu and Kashmir is an “integral and inalienable” part of India, emphasizing that its people “exercise their fundamental rights in accordance with India's time-tested democratic traditions and constitutional framework”.

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Harish also condemned Pakistan for its continued human rights violations in the territories it “illegally occupies,” particularly in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). “We call upon Pakistan to end the grave and ongoing human rights violations in the areas illegally occupied by it, where the population is in open revolt against Pakistan's military occupation, repression, brutality and illegal exploitation of resources,” he said.

India’s statement comes amid reports of civilian unrest and alleged military crackdowns in PoK, where protests have erupted over governance failures and resource exploitation.

The Indian envoy’s remarks underscore New Delhi’s long-standing position on Jammu and Kashmir and its rejection of Pakistan’s claims over the region.