Strongly reacting to the statement by Pakistan, India has said that comments about the situation in Jammu and Kashmir are politically motivated and baseless while dubbing it as yet another attempt by the neighboring country to draw attention away from the severe abuse of children.
In the open debate of the United Nations Security Council on Children and Armed Conflict, India’s Deputy Representative to the UN, R Ravindra, in response to the references made by Pakistan, categorically stated that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are the integral and inalienable territories of India that can never be negotiated with. Such talk from Pakistan deserves only the contempt it gets.
These are the issues that Ravindra raised during his speech following the Pakistani delegate’s mentions of Jammu and Kashmir during the UNSC debate. In return, the Indian envoy dismissed the ‘baseless remarks’ alleging that Pakistan was attempting to divert the focus from the blatant ‘violations against children’ that remain a reality in the country.
Stressing the necessity of the annual debate on Children and Armed Conflicts in the UNSC, Ravindra underscored the agenda to prevent and stop the violations of the rights of children. He underlined that the primary obligation to protect the Child’s rights belongs to the national governments.
Ravindra also described mechanical, sexual, and other forms of exploitation of children in conflict with the terrorists and gunmen. These serious violations against students were condemned, and more effort and commitment were urged to fight them.
India’s envoy added concerns to quality education, skill development of youths, and safety of schools, especially girls’ schools, and health facilities, to overcome the impacts of armed conflicts on children.
In the final statements of his speech, Ravindra once again stressed India’s strong commitment to assisting the United Nations in its endeavors to protect children in armed conflict, emphasizing that every child has the right to a happy childhood.
