India has strongly condemned a recent UN report that attempts to link the deadly Pahalgam terror attack to pressure on Myanmar refugees within India, triggering a diplomatic row. The report, authored by the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Myanmar, Thomas Andrews, alleges that refugees from Myanmar have faced increased scrutiny, detention, and threats of deportation following the April 2025 attack on Hindu tourists in Jammu and Kashmir. The report asserts this occurred despite no evidence implicating any Myanmar nationals in the terrorist act.
The Pahalgam attack, which took place on April 22, 2025, saw terrorists target tourists in the Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, resulting in the deaths of 26 civilians and injuries to 20 others. The victims included Hindu tourists, as well as a Christian tourist and a local Muslim. The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), initially claimed responsibility for the attack, further escalating tensions between India and Pakistan.
India's rebuttal of the UN report has been firm and unequivocal. During an interactive dialogue at the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly, Lok Sabha MP Dilip Saikia voiced strong objections to what he described as "baseless and biased observations" within the report. Saikia specifically denounced the "biased approach" of the Special Rapporteur, asserting that the report viewed the Pahalgam attack through a "communal lens". He emphasized that the claim linking the attack to displaced persons from Myanmar has "absolutely no factual bearing" and rejected the "prejudiced and blinkered analysis" presented in the report.
India's concerns extend beyond the specific allegations in the UN report. Saikia cautioned that India is witnessing "an alarming level of radicalisation among the displaced persons, leading to consequential pressure and impact on the law-and-order situation". He also urged the UN expert not to rely on "unverified and skewed media reports," seemingly aimed at tarnishing India's image. Saikia underscored that India is home to over 200 million Muslims, who live harmoniously with people of all faiths.
India has reiterated its commitment to supporting peace and stability in Myanmar, advocating for a "Myanmar-owned and Myanmar-led path toward democracy". India has also called for an immediate cessation of violence, the release of political prisoners, unhindered humanitarian assistance, and inclusive political dialogue within Myanmar.
The Pahalgam attack had far-reaching consequences, leading to heightened tensions with Pakistan, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and military conflict. The incident was one of the deadliest attacks on civilians in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks. The Indian government has designated TRF as a terrorist organization, vowing to bring the perpetrators to justice.
