Congress lauds government's reply to Pak PM's speech at UNGA

The Congress on Saturday said it stands by the government's reply to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's address at the UN General Assembly but questioned some BJP leaders for "publicizing" Khan's speech. Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said the party will wait for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to tell the nation about his US trip before commenting further. The Congress spokesperson said it was "astounding" that importance was being given to the statements of a person (Imran) who does not even know whether Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister or President of India. During his marathon speech at the UNGA, Khan had goofed up once and called Prime Minister Modi as the "president". "It may suit the agenda of an enemy nation like Pakistan to give credence to the statements of its PM Imran Khan, but for the BJP to be publicizing Imran Khan's statements is extremely devious to say the least," the Congress spokesperson said.

Khan had on Friday delivered his speech at the 74th session of the UNGA and in his almost 50-minute address, devoted half of his time to India and Kashmir, drumming up hysteria over nuclear war. "As far as Pakistan PM Imran Khan's speech is concerned, it was replied to, in an erudite, to the point manner by our young First Secretary at the permanent Indian Mission at UN, Vidisha Maitra. "The entire nation as indeed the Congress Party stands by the reply furnished by her and the government of India," Shrinate said at the party headquarters.

Strongly hitting back at Khan's rant at the UN General Assembly, Maitra has said Indian citizens do not need anyone else to speak on their behalf and "least of all those who have built an industry of terrorism from the ideology of hate." "Pakistan is a country that has shrunk the size of its minority community from 23 percent in 1947 to 3 percent today and has subjected Christians, Sikhs, Ahmadiyas, Hindus, Shias, Pashtuns, Sindhis and Balochis to draconian blasphemy laws, systemic persecution, blatant abuse and forced conversions," Maitra added.

READ | Imran Khan's UNGA speech: 7 bizarre statements made by Pakistan's PM

Imran Khan's UNGA address

Addressing the 74th United Nations General Assembly at the UN Headquarters, New York, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Kahn, on Friday, predicted 'another Pulwama' when restrictions in Kashmir are completely lifted. He admitted to Pakistan's backing for Mujahideen and the country's flimsy economy. He blamed India for its current standing at the FATF. He also made an absurd Hollywood reference to defend terrorism, stating the possibility of a terror attack in Kashmir. Curiously, he repeatedly brought up his former cricket career and rambled on for 50 minutes at the UNGA.

READ | Imran Khan threatens 'another Pulwama' in his 50-minute UNGA address

PM Modi's UNGA address

Contrasting PM Imran Khan's 50-minute long speech, India's PM Modi wrapped up his entire speech within the allotted 15 minutes. PM Modi used the global stage to reaffirm India's commitment to fight against terror, climate change. He also showcased India as a global leader in terms of cleanliness, renewable energy, and development. PM Modi also spoke about India's rich heritage and culture, pride in the world celebrating 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and the message behind being elected with the world's biggest mandate.

(with PTI inputs)

WATCH |PM Modi explains the gravity of the "world's biggest mandate" at UNGA

WATCH | PM Modi's full speech at the 74th UN General Assembly in New York