India delivered a sharp rebuttal to Pakistan at the United Nations after Islamabad raised issues relating to the rule of law during discussions in the UN General Assembly's Sixth Committee on Rule of Law at National and International Levels.

Exercising its Right of Reply, India argued that Pakistan was in no position to offer lessons on the rule of law, asserting that the country's military continues to wield dominant influence over its political and institutional framework.

Speaking on behalf of India, Counsellor R. Mythili of India's Permanent Mission to the UN said it was ironic for Pakistan to speak about the rule of law when, according to New Delhi, its own record raises serious concerns about democratic governance, judicial independence and civil liberties.

Mythili stated that while Pakistan presents itself internationally as a defender of legal norms, the reality within the country is that the Army effectively determines political outcomes and institutional authority.

India further criticised Pakistan's 26th Constitutional Amendment, describing it as a major setback for judicial independence.

The amendment, adopted in 2024, introduced significant changes to Pakistan's judicial structure and appointment mechanisms. Critics, including international legal organisations, have argued that the changes increased political influence over judicial processes and weakened institutional safeguards designed to preserve judicial autonomy.

Mythili also raised the issue of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's imprisonment.

She argued that a country where elected governments have historically struggled to complete full terms, and where a former prime minister has allegedly been denied rights despite court directions, cannot credibly claim adherence to the rule of law.

India additionally accused Pakistan of preventing a popular political party from fully participating in elections, trying civilians in military courts, restricting judicial independence and suppressing human rights.

In a pointed remark directed at Islamabad, Mythili urged Pakistani representatives to "listen to your people".

The Indian diplomat also rejected Pakistan's allegations regarding the treatment of religious minorities in India.

According to India, such accusations are intended to divert attention from Pakistan's own record on minority rights and democratic freedoms.

Mythili argued that the proportion of minorities within Pakistan's population has steadily declined since the country's creation, and said Islamabad should focus on addressing concerns within its own borders rather than making allegations against others.

India further highlighted concerns over Pakistan's media environment.

Mythili referred to Pakistan's Foreign Media Facilitation Guidelines, under which foreign journalists require a no-objection certificate for reporting assignments outside Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi.

She questioned how press freedom could flourish under such restrictions, describing the media as a crucial pillar of democracy.

The exchange also touched on security issues and counter-terrorism.

Defending Operation Sindoor, India's military action launched in May 2025 following the Pahalgam terror attack, Mythili described the operation as a measured, proportionate and targeted response against terrorist infrastructure located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

She dismissed Pakistani claims regarding the outcome of the operation and remarked that Islamabad was free to interpret damaged airfields and destroyed hangars as a success if it wished to do so.

Concluding India's response, Mythili said repeatedly presenting what she termed a catalogue of false allegations against India would not absolve Pakistan's leadership of its responsibilities towards its own citizens.

The latest confrontation at the UN reflected the continuing diplomatic contest between the two neighbours, with debates extending beyond security concerns to questions of governance, judicial independence, political freedoms, minority rights and media liberty.

PTI