At the United Nations, India denounced Pakistan as a “rogue state” that promotes global terrorism and undermines international peace, amid heightened tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists.
Speaking at the launch of the Victims of Terrorism Association Network (VOTAN), India’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Yojna Patel, highlighted Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s recent admission regarding Islamabad’s involvement in supporting and financing terrorist organizations.
“The entire world has now heard Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, openly acknowledge Pakistan’s longstanding role in training and funding terrorist groups during a television interview,” Ambassador Patel said. “This admission is no surprise and confirms Pakistan’s status as a rogue state perpetuating global terrorism. The international community can no longer ignore this reality.”
Patel also criticized Pakistan for misusing UN platforms to disseminate propaganda and levy unfounded accusations against India.
The sharp rebuke follows India’s claims of cross-border involvement in the Pahalgam attack. Responsibility for the attack was claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy group linked to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba. In response, India announced a downgrade in diplomatic relations with Pakistan and suspended the Indus Water Treaty.
In a separate interview with Sky News, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif admitted that Islamabad had supported terrorist groups for decades, describing it as doing the “dirty work” for the West, including the United States and the United Kingdom.