Volker Turk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed his concerns over the human rights situation in India’s illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir during his address at the 52nd session of the Human Rights Council. His remarks did not sit well with the Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindutva ideology. Ambassador Indra Mani Pandey, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, spoke against Turk’s statement, deeming it “unwarranted and factually wrong”. Nevertheless, Turk has committed to exploring how his Office can contribute to addressing the human rights matter in Kashmir, noting that justice and human rights are fundamental to security and development in the region.

Pandey said India does not see any role for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in matters that, he claimed, are the country’s internal affairs.