She was addressing a hybrid event to launch the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism’s ‘Victims of Terrorism Association Network’ (VoTAN).
“It is unfortunate that one particular delegation has chosen to misuse and undermine this forum to indulge in propaganda and make baseless allegations against India,” Patel said, responding to Pakistan’s reference to the Pahalgam terror attack.Read more: Cross-border tensions escalate as Pakistan violates ceasefire for fifth consecutive night
“The whole world has heard Pakistan’s defence minister Khwaja Asif admitting and confessing Pakistan’s history of supporting, training and funding terrorist organisations in a recent television interview,” she said.
She further said that this open confession surprises no one and exposes “Pakistan as a rogue state fuelling global terrorism and destabilising the region”, adding that the world can no longer turn a blind eye.
UN calls for restraint amid India-Pak tensions
Following the April 22 attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which left 26 civilians dead, tensions between India and Pakistan have heightened.
In response, the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, expressed “deep concern”, calling on both nations to “exercise maximum restraint” and avoid any further escalation.
Read more: Exclusive – Pakistan defence minister says military incursion by India is imminentGuterres’s office noted that while the UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) continues to monitor ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC), it has no presence in the area where the attack occurred.
The Secretary-General reiterated the importance of accountability and justice for the victims and maintained that peaceful resolution through “meaningful and constructive dialogue” remains essential.
Global solidarity strengthens India against terrorism
Addressing the UN gathering, Patel also stressed that the international condemnation following the Pahalgam attack reflected a growing consensus against terrorism. “The Pahalgam terrorist attack represents the largest number of civilian casualties since the horrific 26/11 Mumbai attacks in 2008,” she said.
“Having been a victim of cross-border terrorism for decades, India fully understands the long-lasting impact such acts have on victims, their families and society,” Patel added.
Read more: Pahalgam Terror: Congress issues gag order on members in ‘most sensitive of times’ — what sparked the row
India welcomed the “strong, unequivocal” expressions of solidarity from world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and French President Emmanuel Macron, among others, who condemned the attack and conveyed condolences.
The UN Security Council (UNSC) also issued a statement last week, unanimously condemning the attack and calling for perpetrators, organisers, financiers, and sponsors to be brought to justice.
Patel further hailed the establishment of VoTAN, describing it as a “significant step” towards placing victims at the heart of international counter-terrorism efforts.
“India believes that initiatives like VoTAN are essential to strengthening the global response to terrorism, ensuring that victims remain at the centre of our collective efforts,” Patel said.
(With inputs from agencies)
