Doha, Qatar – Union Minister of Labour and Employment, Mansukh Mandaviya, asserted on Wednesday that Pakistan has no right to comment on India's internal matters and should cease misusing international platforms. Speaking at the Plenary Session of the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha, Qatar, Mandaviya strongly objected to what he described as "unjustified references" made by the President of Pakistan regarding India.
Mandaviya accused Pakistan of engaging in cross-border terrorism against Indian citizens and urged the country to engage in introspection. He stated that Pakistan's actions have undermined the spirit of the Indus Waters Treaty through sustained hostility and terrorism and that Pakistan has repeatedly misused the treaty mechanisms to obstruct India's legitimate projects. Regarding the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Mandaviya emphasized that Pakistan holds no standing to comment on India's internal affairs, especially while allegedly supporting terrorism against Indian citizens.
"This is an abuse of an international forum to distract the world from focusing on social development by peddling disinformation against India. We wish to set the record straight," Mandaviya asserted. He advised Pakistan to address its serious development challenges, noting its dependence on international aid. "It should stop abusing international forums," he emphasized.
Highlighting India's development achievements, Mandaviya stated that India's progress is a story of transformation. He noted that approximately 250 million Indians have been lifted out of multidimensional poverty in the last decade through reforms, welfare programs, and digital innovation. He also mentioned that 118 million schoolchildren receive nutritious mid-day meals, and over 800 million citizens benefit from food security. Additionally, health security has reached 425 million Indians, and more than 37 million houses have been provided to low-income families. According to Mandaviya, from 2017-18 to 2023-24, the unemployment rate has declined from 6% to 3.2%, and women's employment has nearly doubled.
Mandaviya conveyed that India is dedicated to the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals and that India's development model serves as an example for the Global South. He affirmed India's commitment to sharing its expertise in social development to strengthen global partnerships, emphasizing that "India believes that social progress is achievable when people remain at the core of policy". India is empowering the very last person in the line, following the philosophy of 'Antyodaya'.
