India denounced Pakistan as “the land of pure terror” and branded it “Terroristan” in an explosive speech at the UN General Assembly, which comes on the back of deadly clashes in the disputed territory of Kashmir.
Earlier, in his speech Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi accused India of "war crimes" in the disputed Kashmir region and of "exporting terror" to Pakistan.
India addresses the UN on Saturday and has responded angrily to the speech by Abbasi to the UN general assembly.
Relations between the nuclear-armed neighbours have worsened in recent times, mainly over Kashmir.
Kudos To Eenam Gambhir For Slapping "#Pakistan", A Land Of Pure Terror, On A Global Platform.?#Terroristan #UNGA pic.twitter.com/pBBgkjx6vn
— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) September 22, 2017
'Extraordinary'
In his speech Abbasi addressed the issue of the Afghan war, saying Pakistan refused to be a "scapegoat" for the conflict. The US accuses the Pakistani intelligence services of ties to militants who operate in Afghanistan, allegations Pakistan rejects.
On Kashmir, the Pakistani leader accused India of employing "massive and indiscriminate force" against civilians protesting against Delhi's rule.
"Shotgun pellets have blinded and maimed thousands of Kashmiris, including children. These and other brutalities clearly constitute war crimes and violate the Geneva conventions," he said.
He also asked the UN to appoint a special envoy to oversee the region.
Exercising the right of reply, Eenam Gambhir, India's first secretary to the UN, said it was "extraordinary that the state which protected Osama Bin Laden and sheltered Mullah Omar should have the gumption to play the victim."
"Pakistan is now Terroristan with a flourishing industry producing and exporting global terrorism," the envoy said.
She also accused Pakistan of "avaricious efforts to covet the territories of its neighbours."
Source: NDTV, Hindustan Times, Newsweek