New Delhi: Union Minister for Labour and Employment Mansukh Mandaviya issued a strong rebuttal to Pakistan during the World Summit for Social Development in Doha, criticising it for repeatedly using international platforms to target India instead of focusing on global welfare and development. His remarks came in response to comments made by Pakistan’s leadership a day earlier.
Speaking at the plenary session, Mandaviya said India firmly rejected the references made against it and stressed that raising unfounded allegations at a global forum weakens the purpose of the summit. He noted that discussions meant to focus on social progress were instead diverted by attempts to spread misinformation.
Mandaviya also addressed Pakistan’s claims regarding the Indus Waters Treaty. He said Pakistan had weakened the treaty’s spirit through persistent hostility and its continued support for cross border terrorism. He added that Pakistan had repeatedly attempted to misuse treaty provisions to delay or obstruct India’s legitimate developmental projects.
The minister stated that Pakistan had no standing to comment on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly when it continued to support acts of terrorism targeting Indian citizens, citing the attack in Pahalgam earlier this year. He said Pakistan should focus on its own internal problems, including development challenges that have left it reliant on repeated external assistance.
He went on to highlight India’s achievements in social development and poverty reduction, saying the country’s progress offers a practical roadmap for nations of the Global South. Mandaviya pointed to key welfare indicators, including midday meals for more than one hundred million schoolchildren, food security support for over eight hundred million citizens, health coverage reaching hundreds of millions and housing for millions of low income families.
His remarks followed comments by Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, who accused India of violating the Indus Waters Treaty and claimed Pakistan was facing a growing threat related to the management of water resources. He also drew parallels between Kashmir and Palestine. India had suspended the treaty earlier this year following the Pahalgam terror attack, stating that continued cooperation was impossible under conditions of violence.
