India defends democracy at UN and criticizes Pakistan's claims on Kashmir

India's representative at the United Nations, Eldos Mathew Punnoose, rejected Pakistan's claims about Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that these regions are integral to India. He criticized Pakistan for its internal issues, including human rights violations and state-sponsored terrorism. Punnoose highlighted the recent elections in Jammu and Kashmir as evidence of India's functioning democracy, contrasting it with Pakistan's political practices. He accused Pakistan of conducting sham elections and suppressing dissent, stating that Pakistan's criticisms of India reflect its own troubled democratic record. He urged Pakistan to focus on its internal problems rather than interfering in India's affairs. Punnoose emphasized India's commitment to democracy and decolonization, reminding the UN of India's contributions to global freedom efforts since 1962.