“Organised hate factory”: India blasts Pakistan at United Nations
India strongly criticised Pakistan during a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) discussion on Afghanistan, accusing Islamabad of violating international law through military actions inside Afghan territory and highlighting New Delhi’s own humanitarian and development engagement with the country.
Addressing the council, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, condemned Pakistan’s cross-border military operations, arguing that civilian casualties resulting from such actions cannot be justified as counterterrorism measures. He asserted that military operations leading to the deaths and injuries of non-combatants, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan, raised serious concerns under international humanitarian law.
Referring to casualty figures reported by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), India noted that hundreds of civilians were killed or injured during the first quarter of 2026. New Delhi urged adherence to internationally accepted principles governing armed conflict, including distinction, proportionality, and precaution, while supporting calls for impartial investigations into reported incidents.
India also accused Pakistan of restricting Afghanistan’s trade access by limiting transit routes for Afghan exports. Describing such measures as harmful to Afghanistan’s economic interests, India argued that they run contrary to international commitments aimed at supporting landlocked nations. In contrast, India pointed to its own initiatives, including duty-free access for Afghan products and the operation of an air cargo corridor to facilitate bilateral trade. According to figures cited by India, it remains one of Afghanistan’s largest export destinations.
The Indian representative further outlined New Delhi’s assistance efforts in Afghanistan, stating that more than 500 development projects have been undertaken across all provinces of the country. These projects cover sectors such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure. Since 2021, India has supplied substantial quantities of food aid, medicines, vaccines, and agricultural support materials.
India also highlighted recent humanitarian assistance, including emergency flood-relief supplies and vaccine shipments delivered earlier this year. In the healthcare sector, New Delhi pointed to support for maternity care facilities in several Afghan provinces, improvements to medical institutions in Kabul, and plans for new specialised healthcare centres. India added that Afghan children requiring treatment for congenital heart conditions have been receiving medical care in Indian hospitals.
On cultural and sporting ties, India announced plans to host the Afghanistan national cricket team for a bilateral series. The move was presented as an effort to strengthen people-to-people connections and encourage positive engagement through sport.
The Indian envoy also levelled political criticism at Pakistan, accusing it of fostering anti-India narratives through official channels and using such rhetoric to divert attention from domestic challenges. He further characterised recent constitutional developments in Pakistan as increasing the influence of the military in the country’s political system.
Concluding his remarks, Ambassador Parvathaneni reiterated India’s support for UNAMA’s work in Afghanistan and called on the international community to adopt policies that assist ordinary Afghans and promote stability, rather than measures that could further isolate the country.