India dismisses UN report on Myanmar, calls Pahalgam attack link ‘false and baseless’

India rejects UN report linking Myanmar crisis to Pahalgam attack, terms allegations ‘biased and baseless’

India has strongly criticised a recent United Nations report on Myanmar, describing it as a “blinkered and baseless analysis” that misrepresents facts and unfairly targets New Delhi. The report, authored by UN Special Rapporteur Thomas H. Andrews, had controversially claimed that the April 2025 Pahalgam terrorist attack had affected displaced persons from Myanmar living in India.

Delivering India’s response at the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee on Tuesday, Lok Sabha MP Dilip Saikia dismissed the claims as entirely unfounded. “The assertion linking the Pahalgam attack to displaced persons from Myanmar has no factual basis whatsoever,” he said, calling the observations “biased and prejudiced against India.”

Saikia said India “rejects such prejudice and blinkered analysis” and cautioned the UN against drawing conclusions from “unverified and distorted media reports” that attempt to tarnish the country’s image.

The UN expert’s report alleged that some refugees from Myanmar in India faced intimidation and arbitrary detention following the Pahalgam attack — despite there being no evidence of Myanmar nationals’ involvement. Saikia categorically denied these claims, stating that India’s actions are guided by law and humanitarian considerations.

He underlined India’s inclusive social fabric, noting that the country is home to over 200 million Muslims — nearly 10 per cent of the global Muslim population — who live in peace and harmony with all communities.

Addressing the broader regional context, Saikia said India remains deeply concerned about the deteriorating situation in Myanmar, particularly its spillover effects such as drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and human trafficking across borders. He warned that increasing radicalisation among some displaced groups poses security challenges but reaffirmed that India continues to favour a “Myanmar-owned and Myanmar-led” path to peace.

Reiterating India’s constructive engagement, Saikia highlighted ongoing humanitarian initiatives, including Operation Brahma, launched after the March 2025 Myanmar earthquake, and previous missions like Operation Sahayata and Operation Sadbhav, which provided food, medical aid, and infrastructure support.

“India remains committed to promoting stability, peace, and democratic transition in Myanmar through dialogue and regional cooperation,” he concluded, reaffirming New Delhi’s support for ASEAN and UN-led efforts in resolving the crisis.