India Raises Kargil Burials in UN Rebuke to Pakistan
India has criticised Pakistan at the United Nations over its record on religious freedom and burial rights, recalling Islamabad’s alleged refusal to accept the bodies of soldiers killed during the 1999 Kargil War. Speaking at a UN discussion on October 22, 2026, Indian diplomat Bhavika Mangalanandan said the Indian Army had buried several Pakistani soldiers with military honours and Islamic rites.
India Raises Kargil War Burials at United Nations
Bhavika Mangalanandan, First Secretary at India’s Permanent Mission to the UN, made the remarks during an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief.
She questioned Pakistan’s criticism of India’s religious freedom record, citing its treatment of soldiers killed during the Kargil conflict.
Mangalanandan stated that Pakistan had declined to receive the bodies of some soldiers, leaving the Indian Army to conduct their burials according to Islamic customs.
India Questions UN Report on Funeral Rights
The Indian diplomat also criticised the UN Special Rapporteur’s report examining funeral rights under exceptional circumstances.
She questioned why the report highlighted alleged discrimination during the COVID-19 pandemic in developing countries while, in India’s assessment, overlooking similar incidents in developed nations.
Mangalanandan also challenged the report’s discussion of funeral rights for individuals involved in terrorism, arguing that the rights and suffering of terrorism victims deserved greater attention.
Pakistan’s Minority Rights Record Draws Criticism
India additionally raised concerns about alleged discrimination against religious minorities in Pakistan.
Mangalanandan urged Islamabad to address conditions in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, particularly Rawalakot, rather than repeatedly commenting on Jammu and Kashmir.
She argued that Pakistan’s treatment of minority communities undermined its criticism of India’s domestic affairs.
The exchange reflected continuing diplomatic disagreements between India and Pakistan over religious freedom, human rights and Jammu and Kashmir.
