India strongly criticised Pakistan at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Wednesday, 20th May, accusing Islamabad of carrying a long history of genocidal violence while repeatedly attempting to divert global attention from its own failures through hostility and aggression. The sharp exchange took place during the annual UNSC open debate on the “Protection of civilians in armed conflict,” after Pakistan’s representative once again attempted to raise the issue of Jammu and Kashmir during the discussion.

India firmly rejected the attempt and made it clear that Jammu and Kashmir remains an internal matter of the country. Responding on behalf of India, Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, delivered a strong statement questioning Pakistan’s credibility in speaking about civilian protection, human rights, and international law.

During the debate, Parvathaneni said, “It is ironic that Pakistan, with its long-tainted record of genocidal acts, has chosen to refer to issues that are strictly internal to India.” His remarks immediately turned the focus back on Pakistan’s own record, particularly its actions in the region and its treatment of civilians over decades.

India also referred to Pakistan’s reported military actions in Afghanistan earlier this year. Bringing up the airstrikes conducted in Kabul during the holy month of Ramadan, the Indian envoy highlighted the timing and nature of the attack. Referring specifically to the strike on the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in Kabul, Parvathaneni stated, “The world has not forgotten that it was during the holy month of Ramadan in March this year, at a time of peace, reflection, and mercy, that Pakistan conducted a barbaric airstrike on the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in Kabul.”

The remarks drew attention to findings by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), which had documented the human cost of the attack. According to the figures cited during the debate, the strike reportedly killed 269 civilians and left another 122 injured. India emphasised that the location targeted was a medical facility and not a military installation.

Referring to the casualties, Parvathaneni said, “This cowardly and unconscionable act of violence claimed the lives of 269 civilians and injured a further 122 in a facility which can by no means be justified as a military target.” India argued that such incidents exposed the contradiction in Pakistan’s statements at international forums where it often speaks about civilian rights and legal principles while facing accusations of targeting non-combatants.

The Indian envoy further accused Pakistan of double standards and hypocrisy. He stated, “It is hypocritical of Pakistan to speak of high principles of international law while targeting innocent civilians in the dark.” The statement reflected India’s broader position that Pakistan repeatedly attempts to project itself as a defender of humanitarian principles internationally while being accused of actions that directly harm civilians.

India also referred to wider humanitarian consequences arising from cross-border violence in Afghanistan. Citing UNAMA’s assessment, Parvathaneni noted that more than 94,000 people had reportedly been displaced due to violence affecting Afghan civilians. The figures were used by India to underline what it described as a pattern of instability and destruction linked to Pakistan’s actions in the region.

Continuing the criticism, Parvathaneni said such behaviour was not unexpected from a country that “bombs its own people and conducts systematic genocide.” India’s remarks then moved toward one of the darkest chapters associated with Pakistan’s military history, the events surrounding Operation Searchlight in 1971.

During the debate, the Indian envoy referred to allegations related to the atrocities committed during that operation and said Pakistan had carried out a “systematic campaign of genocidal mass rape of 400,000 women” through its army during that period. The reference brought historical accusations against Pakistan back into international discussion while India attempted to challenge Islamabad’s moral standing on issues involving civilian protection and human rights.

India’s intervention at the UNSC was primarily aimed at rejecting Pakistan’s attempt to internationalise the Jammu and Kashmir issue during a debate focused on armed conflict and civilian safety. New Delhi reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir is an internal matter of India and criticised Pakistan for repeatedly using global forums to raise the issue while facing allegations regarding its own conduct and record.