India rejects UNHRC probe

An all-party meeting called to discuss the recent violence in Kashmir unanimously rejected a move by the UNHRC to send a team to the state to investigate alleged human rights violations by Indian security forces.

While PM Modi asserted that PoK "is ours", foreign minister Sushma Swaraj told party leaders that the government had received a letter from the UN Human Rights Council, exploring the possibility of a visit to J&K. This was in apparent response to Pakistan writing to the body. All parties in one voice rejected any outside probe into the violence and allegations of human rights violations.

Party leaders said the move could amount to interference in India's internal affairs.

The UNHRC letter comes days after Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif wrote to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Prince Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, urging efforts to "end the persistent and egregious violation of the basic human rights of the Kashmiri people".

The prime minister ruled out any major concessions in dealing with the protests in Kashmir in terms of engagement with Pakistan and also made it amply clear that talks with separatists were not on his to-do list.

Similarly, the violation of human rights in Balochistan should be brought to the attention of the global audience, he said.

"Pakistan forgets killing its own people by fighter planes. Time has come for Pakistan to explain to the world community about excesses committed in PoK and Balochistan," Modi said at the meeting which had leaders from the entire political spectrum.