New York | December 16, 2025: India delivered a sharp and unambiguous rebuke to Pakistan at the United Nations, raising serious concerns over Islamabad’s democratic backsliding, the imprisonment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, and sweeping constitutional changes that grant unprecedented powers and lifetime immunity to the country’s military leadership.
Speaking during a United Nations Security Council open debate on “Leadership for Peace”, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, questioned Pakistan’s commitment to democratic values while firmly rejecting its claims over Jammu and Kashmir.
India Flags Pakistan’s ‘Democratic Crisis’ at UNSC
Ambassador Parvathaneni said Pakistan had developed a “unique way of respecting the will of its people,” pointing to the incarceration of a former elected prime minister, the suppression of political opposition, and constitutional changes favouring the armed forces.
He remarked that Pakistan’s leadership has allowed the military to engineer what he described as a “constitutional coup” through the recently passed 27th Constitutional Amendment, which fundamentally alters the balance between civilian authority and military power.
India’s intervention came as part of a broader response to repeated references made by Pakistan regarding Jammu and Kashmir during UN discussions—claims New Delhi firmly dismissed as unwarranted and misplaced.
Imran Khan’s Imprisonment Raises Human Rights Concerns
India specifically referred to the continued imprisonment of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has been in jail since August 2023 following his conviction in a high-value corruption case. Khan is also facing multiple trials under Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Act linked to the violent protests of May 9, 2023.
Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has repeatedly alleged political persecution. These concerns gained international attention after a UN Special Rapporteur on Torture raised alarm over Khan’s treatment in Adiala Jail, citing claims of degrading and inhuman conditions.
While India refrained from commenting on Pakistan’s internal legal processes, it highlighted the contradiction between Islamabad’s democratic rhetoric and its actions on the ground.
27th Amendment and Lifetime Immunity for Military Leadership
India also drew attention to Pakistan’s controversial 27th Constitutional Amendment, passed last month, which introduces sweeping reforms to the country’s military and judicial systems.
Under the amendment:
- The Chief of Army Staff has been elevated to the new position of Chief of Defence Forces
- Lifetime titles and immunity have been extended to senior military ranks
- A Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) has been created with overlapping authority with the Supreme Court
- Judicial appointments and transfers have been restructured
Indian diplomats described the changes as consolidating military dominance in governance, further weakening civilian oversight and democratic institutions in Pakistan.
India Rejects Pakistan’s Kashmir Narrative
India reiterated that Pakistan’s attempts to internationalise the issue of Jammu and Kashmir remain baseless. Ambassador Parvathaneni said Islamabad’s repeated references at global forums reflect an “obsessive focus on harming India” rather than addressing its own internal challenges.
New Delhi maintained that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and that Pakistan should focus on governance, human rights, and democratic accountability within its own borders.
Global Implications and Diplomatic Messaging
India’s strong statement at the UN underscores growing international scrutiny of Pakistan’s political trajectory and the expanding role of its military in civilian affairs. By linking democratic erosion to regional instability, New Delhi positioned itself as advocating for constitutional norms, civilian supremacy, and rule-based governance.
The remarks also signal India’s intent to counter Pakistan’s narratives at global platforms with direct, fact-based interventions.