India Rejects UN Human Rights Chief’s Remarks on Kashmir and Manipur as ‘Baseless’
New Delhi, 4th March 2025: India firmly rejected remarks made by the UN human rights chief regarding Kashmir and Manipur, calling them “unfounded and baseless.” In response to Volker Turk’s global update at the 58th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, India criticized the selective approach and broad generalizations in his statement.
India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Ambassador Arindam Bagchi, emphasized that as the world’s largest democracy, India remains a vibrant, pluralistic society. He dismissed Turk’s remarks as being disconnected from ground realities.
Bagchi highlighted that India has consistently disproved such misinformed concerns and urged for a more accurate understanding of the country’s situation. He specifically pointed out the misrepresentation of Jammu and Kashmir, noting that Turk erroneously referred to it simply as “Kashmir” in his update.
The Indian envoy underscored the region’s positive developments, citing high voter turnout in local elections, a thriving tourism sector, and rapid infrastructure growth as indicators of peace and progress.
Calling for a more balanced perspective, Bagchi stressed that the global update needed a “genuine revision.” He expressed concerns over its oversimplification of complex issues, sweeping remarks, vague terminology, and selective focus on certain situations.
He further remarked that if the High Commissioner sensed widespread unease, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights should first undertake serious introspection.
In his statement, Turk had urged for intensified efforts to address violence and displacement in Manipur through dialogue, peacebuilding, and human rights initiatives. He also voiced concerns over restrictive laws, harassment of human rights defenders and independent journalists, and what he described as a shrinking civic space, particularly in Kashmir.
Turk acknowledged India’s democratic institutions as a pillar of its diversity and development but emphasized the need for continuous efforts to foster participation and inclusivity across all levels of society.
