India delivered a sharp critique of Pakistan at the United Nations, accusing its western neighbour of exploiting religion to score political points while casting baseless allegations against India. In a pointed address marking the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, condemned what he described as the systematic weaponisation of faith-based narratives to malign India.
Misusing Faith for Political Ends
Ambassador Harish warned the UN against the growing trend of politicising religion, emphasising that selective focus on one faith risks deepening divisions rather than resolving grievances. He called for global frameworks that uphold equality and dignity for followers of all religions, rather than privileging one while ignoring others. “History bears repeated witness to how politicisation of religion does not solve grievances. It legitimises selective narratives that polarise societies and deepen division,” Harish stated. He urged the UN to remain impartial and uphold its founding principles of transcending religion, culture, and politics.
Questioning Pakistan’s Record
Without directly naming Pakistan at every point, the Indian envoy highlighted the country’s record on minority rights and regional security. He questioned the treatment of the Ahmadiyya community, the reported deportation of Afghan refugees, and airstrikes conducted during the holy month of Ramadan, describing these acts as contradictory to the principles Pakistan claims to uphold. “One wonders how brutal repression of Ahmadiyyas, large-scale refoulement of helpless Afghans, or air-bombing campaigns during Ramadan can be justified,” he said. He criticised the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation for repeatedly making false allegations against India under Pakistan’s influence.
India’s Model of Inclusive Coexistence
Harish underscored India’s multicultural ethos, noting that the country is home to over 200 million Muslims, one of the largest populations in the world. He pointed out that Indian Muslims, including those in Jammu and Kashmir, freely elect their representatives and participate fully in democratic processes. “The only ‘phobia’ evident here appears to be directed against the multicultural and peaceful coexistence that all communities in India enjoy, including Muslim communities,” he stated. He described India as a nation where equality and respect for all religions, encapsulated in the philosophy of Sarva Dharma Sambhava, shape the secular character of its Constitution.
Call for Global Action
Concluding his statement, Harish urged the international community to prioritise combating religious hatred and building inclusive societies. He stressed that the UN should focus its resources on promoting equality, human rights, and the rule of law for all, instead of allowing faith to be misused for political agendas. Extending greetings for the holy month of Ramadan, he reaffirmed India’s commitment to a world free from religious intolerance and violence in all forms.
India’s firm statement at the UN comes amid escalating tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan following deadly airstrikes in Kabul, which claimed at least 400 lives, and ongoing regional security concerns. The Indian envoy’s address underscored the country’s dedication to pluralism, human rights, and a principled approach to combating misuse of religion in international forums.
