India Slams Pakistan at UN, Condemns Airstrikes on Afghanistan and ‘Fitna al Hindustan’ Narrative

UNITED NATIONS, June 9: India launched a strong attack on Pakistan at the United Nations Security Council, accusing it of causing civilian suffering through airstrikes in Afghanistan, promoting misinformation through its “Fitna al Hindustan” directive, and weaponising trade and transit access against Afghanistan.

Addressing a UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Afghanistan on Monday, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, condemned Pakistan’s military airstrikes on Afghan territory, saying they had resulted in significant civilian casualties and undermined regional peace and stability.

Calling the strikes a blatant violation of international law, the UN Charter and Afghanistan’s sovereignty, Parvathaneni cited UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) figures showing that 372 civilians were killed and 397 injured during the first three months of the year. He noted that many of the casualties occurred during the holy month of Ramadan.

“Dressing up a massacre as a military operation does not absolve the perpetrator. Killing, maiming and orphaning civilians is not counter-terrorism,” the Indian envoy said, adding that no faith, law or morality could justify such actions.

Parvathaneni also accused Pakistan of hypocrisy, saying it invokes international law and Islamic solidarity while carrying out military operations that inflict civilian suffering. He further remarked that blaming neighbouring countries for internal problems had become a recurring pattern in Pakistan’s conduct.

India also strongly objected to Pakistan’s directive referring to groups operating within its territory as “Fitna al Hindustan.” Describing the move as “officially sponsored misinformation and disinformation dressed in religious terminology,” Parvathaneni said it reflected an organised campaign of hostility towards India.

According to the Indian envoy, the narrative was aimed at diverting attention from Pakistan’s political and economic challenges while enabling continued dominance of its military establishment. He also referred to Pakistan’s 27th Constitutional Amendment as a manifestation of increasing military influence in the country’s governance.

On economic issues, India accused Pakistan of inflicting “trade and transit terrorism” on Afghanistan by restricting transit access for Afghan traders. Parvathaneni said such actions violated World Trade Organisation norms, UN declarations concerning landlocked developing countries and broader principles of international law.

Highlighting India’s support for Afghanistan, he said India remains the largest destination for Afghan exports, offers tariff-free access to Afghan goods and operates a dedicated air freight corridor between the two countries. He added that India has also issued hundreds of long-term business visas to Afghan traders affected by transit restrictions.

Responding to Pakistan’s criticism of UNAMA and the UN Secretary-General’s report on Afghanistan, India defended the UN system and stressed that support for multilateralism could not be selective.

Reaffirming India’s commitment to combating terrorism, Parvathaneni called for coordinated international action against terrorist organisations, including ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and their affiliates, saying collective efforts were essential to eliminate cross-border terrorism and promote regional stability. (Agencies)