India tells UN committee it will not bow to Pakistan's nuclear threats, asks it to vacate occupied territory

India has once again answered Pakistan's threats on an international platform. India's envoys at the United Nations said clearly that India will never be frightened by Pakistan's nuclear threats. They termed Pakistan's claims false and misleading and expressed strong objection to them.

The First Committee of the UN General Assembly met on Friday. India exercised its "Right of Reply" and responded to Pakistan. India stressed that New Delhi will not bow before any threat of nuclear weapons or war and is fully capable of ensuring its own security.

The meeting was on disarmament and international security. Pakistan, as always, tried to raise the Kashmir issue, which did not succeed. Anmol Sher Singh Bedi, Senior Adviser (Disarmament) at India's Permanent Mission, put forward the country's position on India's behalf at the disarmament conference in Geneva.

Bedi said Jammu and Kashmir has always been, is and will remain an integral part of India. He said India never wants needless confrontation or war. But he also gave a serious warning that irresponsible actions from across the border and the tendency to give shelter to terrorism are making the crisis of the entire region more serious.

India firmly told the United Nations that nuclear weapons should not be treated as an easy means of blackmailing governments or anyone else. On Pakistan's stance, Bedi said: "An approach that uses nuclear threats to hide or limit the consequences of terrorist actions and proxy acts leaves no room for de-escalation, and instead multiplies the risk of rising tensions across South Asia."

India reminded the world that its military capability and policy have been designed purely for defensive purposes and are not directed against any peace-loving country. It also said that if a lasting solution is not found to cross-border terrorist activity and provocative actions, peace will remain only a temporary lull between two wars or crises. It said this clearly means the practice of using nuclear weapons to spread terror must now end.

India put forward another direct demand at the meeting. India said, "We demand that Pakistan vacate at the earliest the part of India that has been illegally occupied, and return it to India."

India said it has always stood for peace in the world and wants good and peaceful relations with all. But this does not mean its sovereignty will be challenged and it will sit silent. India's message was clear that it will not compromise on security and will give a befitting reply to every challenge.