New Delhi: India has firmly dismissed a United Nations report on Myanmar’s human rights situation, calling it “baseless” and “prejudiced” after it alleged a connection between the April 2025 Pahalgam terrorist attack and displaced persons from Myanmar living in India.
Delivering India’s statement at the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee, Lok Sabha MP Dilip Saikia said the comments made by UN Special Rapporteur Thomas H Andrews had “no factual basis whatsoever” and reflected a “blinkered analysis” of India’s policies. “The claim linking the Pahalgam attack with displaced persons from Myanmar has absolutely no factual bearing,” Saikia said, adding that such assertions were misleading and damaging.
The UN expert’s report had suggested that refugees from Myanmar in India faced intimidation and detention following the Pahalgam incident, even though no Myanmar nationals were involved. It also claimed that some displaced persons had been threatened with deportation.
Saikia rejected these allegations, urging the UN to avoid relying on “unverified and skewed media reports” that distort the ground reality. He said India remains committed to protecting human rights and fostering communal harmony, noting that the country is home to more than 200 million Muslims who live peacefully alongside people of other faiths.
Addressing the broader regional context, Saikia said India is deeply concerned about the deteriorating situation in Myanmar and its spillover effects, including drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and human trafficking. He added that rising radicalisation among certain displaced groups has created law and order challenges along the border areas.
Reaffirming India’s consistent position, Saikia said that lasting peace in Myanmar can only be achieved through an inclusive political process led and owned by the people of Myanmar. He reiterated India’s support for ASEAN and UN efforts aimed at restoring stability and democracy in the neighbouring country.
Saikia also highlighted India’s humanitarian outreach, including Operation Brahma launched after the March 2025 earthquake in Myanmar, along with previous relief missions such as Operation Sahayata and Operation Sadbhav, underscoring New Delhi’s commitment to regional peace and cooperation.
