India has strongly criticized Pakistan for what it called “egregious human rights abuses” and “systemic exploitation” of people living in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
In the world’s largest peacemaking in terms of human rights and human development, India said that Pakistan is fully responsible for the welfare, rights and dignity of the people in the territory it holds in its control.
India's representative said Pakistan has failed to protect the peoples' rights of PoK as a country and has not done anything to protect them e.g., political suppression and restrictions on freedom of expression and the suppression of political activity and economic neglect and exploitation of natural resources were among .
The reasons for this that Pakistan has not done so. India maintained that these actions have denied local communities access to development opportunities in Pakistan’s territories and violated democratic values.
India explained that PoK is a part of India and that Pakistan’s continued occupation of the territory has resulted in decades of instability and hardship for its residents. Pakistan, the government also alleged, is using the area for political purposes and not local people’s well-being.
India expressed worry about the alleged deprivation of civil liberties, lack of political representation and lack of economic and social development in PoK in the address. The region’s governance in general and lack of democracy were also considered as well, it said.
The comments come as India and Pakistan trade barbs over Jammu and Kashmir. The two countries are in different positions regarding the region and India has always maintained that Pakistan must end what it describes as illegal occupation and stop supporting activities that threaten regional peace and security.
India also accused Pakistan of exploiting the natural resources of PoK without ensuring that the local population gets adequate benefits. Infrastructure and development projects have often been implemented without meaningful consultation with residents, leading to displacement and environmental concerns, officials said.
Journalist: We have seen massive protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
— Shashank Mattoo (@MattooShashank) July 14, 2026
MEA: Pakistan has used excessive police brutality even against women and children. It has blocked supplies like food and medicine. We expect the international community will hold PAK fully accountable pic.twitter.com/dhKSY3hgmZ
We believe terrorism and cross-border infiltration remain the obstacles to peace in the region, India said in a statement.
India also called for Pakistan to respect its international obligations and not use the territories under their control to cause unrest in neighboring countries.
Pakistan has repeatedly rejected India’s claims about PoK and maintains its own position on the Kashmir issue. Jammu and Kashmir is one of the most contentious issues between the two countries since independence in 1947, with both the countries claiming the region in full while administering separate parts of it.
The exchange on the basis of recent diplomatic tension between New Delhi and Islamabad is a reminder of the current political war between Delhi and Islamabad over Kashmir.
Despite international organizations’ periodic appeals for dialogue and the peaceful solution of conflicts, both sides of the conflict are still having to address international forums and give a position of India and Pakistan.
India concluded the statement by asking the international community to recognize the challenges faced by people living in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and to hold Pakistan accountable for fulfilling their rights, welfare and development.
