'Serial borrower from IMF, steeped in fanaticism': India rips into Pakistan during UN debate

Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish told the UN Security Council that India is a mature democracy

India attacked Pakistan at the United Nations saying Islamabad was a serial borrower from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and was steeped in fanaticism and terrorism.

On the other hand, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish told the UN Security Council that India is a mature democracy offering a stark contrast in progress, prosperity, and development models.

"India is a responsible actor, and a founding member of the United Nations as always actively engaged constructively with partners, especially at the United Nations, in collectively working towards a more peaceful, prosperous, and a just and equitable world," said Harish.

His remark came during the UNSC's high-level open debate on “Promoting International Peace and Security through Multilateralism and Peaceful Settlement of Disputes”.

Harish also alleged that Pakistan is busy borrowing from international platforms.  "India is a mature democracy, a surging economy, and a pluralistic and inclusive society. At the other extreme is Pakistan, steeped in fanaticism and terrorism and a serial borrower from the IMF," he said.  "It ill behoves a member of the Council to offer homilies while indulging in practices that are unacceptable to the international community."

Harish also issued a strong message on the need for accountability in terror cases while referring to  the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgamwhich claimed 26 lives.

"There should also be a serious cost to states who violate the spirit of good neighbourliness and international relations by fomenting cross-border terrorism," he said.

"Consequent to the gruesome terrorist attack in Pahalgam... and based on the Council Statement of 25 April... India launched Operation Sindoor targeting terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), which was focused, measured, and non-escalatory in nature. On achieving its primary objectives, a cessation of military activities was directly concluded at the request of Pakistan," Harish added.

He also highlighted the transformation in the nature of modern conflicts.  "In the recent decades, the nature of conflicts has transformed, with a proliferation of non-state actors, often propped up as proxies by state actors; and cross-border funding, arms trafficking, training of terrorists, and spread of radical ideologies, facilitated by modern digital and communication technologies,"he said.  "As we complete 80 years of the United Nations, it is a useful moment to reflect on how far the spirit of multilateralism and peaceful settlement of disputes as enshrined in the UN Charter has been realised."