India launched a sharp rebuttal against Pakistan at the 61st Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), firmly rejecting what it called “propaganda” on Jammu and Kashmir and drawing a stark comparison between the Union Territory’s development and Pakistan’s economic struggles.
Exercising India’s Right of Reply during the high-level segment on February 25 at the United Nations Human Rights Council, Indian diplomat Anupama Singh dismissed allegations raised by Pakistan and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. She accused the grouping of turning itself into an “echo chamber” for one member state.
A Sharp Counter at the UN
Singh’s remarks drew significant attention at the Geneva forum as she highlighted the transformation underway in Jammu and Kashmir. Pointing to infrastructure milestones, she referenced the inauguration of the Chenab Rail Bridge, widely described as the world’s highest railway bridge.
“If the Chenab Rail Bridge, the world’s highest bridge, inaugurated in Jammu and Kashmir last year, is fake, then Pakistan must be hallucinating or living in la la land,” Singh said, delivering one of the most striking lines of India’s intervention.
She underscored that development in the Union Territory stands in contrast to Pakistan’s internal challenges, arguing that the region’s economic growth and infrastructure push reflect stability and governance.
‘J-K Budget More Than Double IMF Bailout’
In a pointed comparison, Singh stated that Jammu and Kashmir’s development budget exceeds twice the size of Pakistan’s recent bailout package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
For the fiscal year 2026–27, Jammu and Kashmir has a budget allocation of Rs 1.13 lakh crore. In contrast, Pakistan’s IMF bailout package stands at 1.2 billion USD.
The comparison was framed as evidence of diverging trajectories — with India focusing on development and infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir, while Pakistan grapples with economic strain.
Terrorism Allegations and Economic Strain
At the Council, Singh also accused Pakistan of sponsoring terrorism globally and asserted that India could not afford to focus on a country facing terrorism-related instability, economic distress and public dissatisfaction.
Her remarks reinforced India’s longstanding position that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the country and that attempts to internationalise the issue would be firmly countered.
Who Is IFS Officer Anupama Singh?
Anupama Singh has been serving in the Indian Foreign Service for over nine years. Before joining the diplomatic corps, she worked at KPMG for more than two years, starting as a Consultant and later becoming a Senior Consultant between 2012 and 2014.
She completed her administrative training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in 2014. Singh also pursued the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) programme from 2008 to 2011, specialising in corporate finance, valuation and portfolio management.
Academically, she holds an MBA in Finance from the Faculty of Management Studies and a BTech in Computer Science and Engineering from the Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology.
According to her profile on X, Singh has a keen interest in economics, science and technology, as well as art, culture and literature — a blend of interests that reflects both analytical rigour and creative engagement.
At a time when diplomatic exchanges between India and Pakistan continue to draw global attention, Anupama Singh’s forceful rebuttal at the UNHRC has added a new chapter to India’s assertive diplomatic messaging on Jammu and Kashmir.
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