Right to self-determination mustn’t be abused to encourage secession: India slams Pakistan at U.N.

India called out Pakistan for misusing UN platforms to push its “separatist agenda” after its Islamabad envoy raised the Jammu and Kashmir issue in the General Assembly.

Advisor to India’s Permanent Mission to the UN, Eldos Mathew Punnoose, on Thursday, January 15, 2026, said that the right to self-determination in pluralistic and democratic states should not be misused to promote secession.

“At a time when member states must move beyond their parochialism, Pakistan continues to misuse all platforms and processes at the UN to drive its own divisive agenda,” Mr. Punnoose said.

“This forum is no exception and Pakistan has made an unfair reference to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, which is an integral and inalienable part of India,” Mr. Punnoose said while presenting his national declaration on ‘Report of the Secretary-General on the Work of the Organisation’ at the UN General Assembly Plenary.

“The right to self-determination is a fundamental principle enshrined in the UN Charter. However, this right should not be abused to encourage secession in pluralistic and democratic states. Pakistan will be in good shape if it does not resort to false allegations and lies, albeit habitual, and does not paint a picture that is completely disconnected from reality.”

India’s harsh response came after Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, referred to Jammu and Kashmir in his speech at the General Assembly.

Pakistan has been repeatedly raising the issue of Jammu and Kashmir at the United Nations and on various platforms but has failed to get any attention from the larger international community on the issue.

In his speech, Mr. Punnoose also emphasized that the Global South has unique development challenges that intersect with development finance, climate justice and finance, among other areas.

“India has continuously endeavored to bring these to the fore across all UN platforms. Concerted and focused follow-up actions are required on this front. Going forward, there is a need to translate the sentiments of the Global South into concrete and tangible steps,” he said.

When taking stock of the history of UN membership, it is important to reflect on the current context and the path ahead for the United Nations, the largest multilateral organisation.

“The United Nations is going through a crucial phase as it faces several critical challenges. World citizens expect the UN to deliver on each of the three pillars – peace and security, development and human rights,” he said.

India emphasized that its deliberate failure to interfere with critical functions of the UN raises questions of effectiveness, legitimacy and credibility. “This is quite evident in the case of maintaining international peace and security. As conflicts intensify in different parts of the world, the world hopes that the UN will achieve this and end the suffering and misery of humanity,” Mr. Punnoose said.