India Lambasts Pakistan Over Alleged Repression in Balochistan

India has taken an aggressive stance on the issue of Balochistan in neighboring Pakistan and reiterated that it will continue to draw attention to human rights abuses against the plight of the Balochis as long as they continue.

New Delhi (Sputnik) – India's less than cordial relationship with neighboring Pakistan has worsened as it has adopted an aggressive position regarding alleged human rights violations in Balochistan, a mostly arid province in western Pakistan which borders Iran and Afghanistan. It has vowed to continue to raise the issue until justice is brought to the Balochs.

Balochistan is one of Pakistan's largest but most sparsely populated regions. An independence movement exists within its ethnic group, the Balochs.

“We will continue to raise the Balochistan issue as long as repression and violations of the fundamental rights of Balochs exist,” spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs Vikas Swarup told the press on Thursday.

The Ministry of External Affairs' statement followed India's move to address Kashmir and Balochistan at the 33rd Session of the UN's Human Rights Council. India has accused Pakistan of widespread human rights violations in Balochistan and the Pakistan-occupied portion of Kashmir.

The External Affairs Ministry's spokesperson added that Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj will also raise the issue of Balochistan during the 71st Session of the UN General Assembly.