India has launched a strong diplomatic attack on a United Nations counter-terrorism report concerning underworld figure Dawood Ibrahim, questioning its factual accuracy and demanding greater impartiality and accountability from UN-appointed experts. During the intervention, an Indian diplomat highlighted Ibrahim’s reported residence in Pakistan, stating that he resides in the same country where Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was found and killed by US forces.
India’s First Secretary at the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, Raghoo Puri, expressed serious concern over a report by UN Special Rapporteur Ben Saul that described Dawood Ibrahim as the leader of the India-based D-Company criminal syndicate, which has links to terrorist activities.
Addressing the UN General Assembly, Puri argued that the report did not adequately reflect the historical background of the allegations against Ibrahim and the circumstances surrounding his inclusion on the United Nations sanctions list.
The Indian representative also criticised what he described as the publication of reports containing factual inaccuracies without sufficient accountability, warning that such practices could undermine the credibility of international institutions.
India Questions UN Report on Dawood Ibrahim
Puri expressed concern that reports issued by special rapporteurs could present member states with conclusions that they considered inaccurate or incomplete, leaving limited room for meaningful engagement after publication.
He argued that such practices were particularly troubling at a time when the United Nations was facing broader questions about its legitimacy and effectiveness.
The Indian diplomat challenged the presentation of Dawood Ibrahim and D-Company in the counter-terrorism report, insisting that the history of terrorism-related allegations against the syndicate should be properly acknowledged.
According to Puri, Ibrahim has been wanted by Indian authorities in connection with terrorism-related cases since the 1993 Mumbai serial bombings. He maintained that the background to the case predates the United Nations Security Council’s decision to list Ibrahim in 2003.
Puri referred to the narrative summary associated with the UN’s 1267 sanctions regime, arguing that the relevant information concerning Ibrahim’s alleged terrorist connections and his history should not be overlooked.
He described the omission of this context as regrettable and said inaccuracies by special mandate holders could cause significant damage to the organisation.
“He Resides Where Bin Laden Was Found”
One of the strongest moments in India’s statement came when Puri addressed the question of Dawood Ibrahim’s reported whereabouts.
The Indian diplomat said Ibrahim remained a wanted criminal in India and referred to the United Nations listing entry, which identifies Pakistan as his reported place of residence.
“To date, he remains a wanted criminal in my country, and as per the UN’s listing entry, resides in the same country where Osama bin Laden was found and neutralised,” Puri told the assembly.
The remark referred to Pakistan, where Osama bin Laden, the founder of Al-Qaeda, was discovered and killed by US forces during a military operation in Abbottabad in May 2011.
India has repeatedly raised concerns about individuals accused of involvement in terrorism who are believed to be operating from Pakistani territory. Pakistan has rejected allegations that it supports terrorism.
Puri also emphasised that Ibrahim’s listing by the UN Security Council in 2003 over links to Al-Qaeda should be viewed alongside the earlier allegations against him in India.
His remarks underscored New Delhi’s demand for what it considers a more comprehensive and fact-based presentation of terrorism-related cases at international forums.
India Warns Against Using Human Rights to Justify Terrorism
India also objected to what it characterised as the misuse of human rights principles to defend those accused of supporting terrorism, radicalisation and extremism.
Puri argued that counter-terrorism efforts and human rights protections should not be interpreted in ways that shield perpetrators of terrorist violence or undermine the fight against extremist networks.
He maintained that terrorism could never be justified and called for consistent standards in the international community’s response to terrorist activities.
India’s position reflects its longstanding demand for stronger international cooperation against terrorism, including action against individuals and organisations accused of planning attacks, financing extremist groups or providing logistical support to terrorist networks.
New Delhi has frequently called for international institutions to ensure that counter-terrorism measures are based on credible evidence and applied without political selectivity.
India Rejects Pakistan’s Remarks on Jammu and Kashmir
The diplomatic exchange also brought India and Pakistan into a fresh confrontation over Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
Responding to remarks by Pakistan’s delegation, Puri rejected the allegations directed at India, describing them as propaganda intended to serve narrow political interests.
He reiterated New Delhi’s position that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral parts of India and will remain so.
The Indian diplomat also accused Pakistan’s military leadership of influencing the country’s approach to the issue.
The exchange reflected the continuing tensions between the two neighbouring countries at the United Nations, where questions concerning terrorism, regional security and Jammu and Kashmir frequently feature in diplomatic statements.
India Challenges Selective Scrutiny by UN Human Rights Experts
The latest confrontation followed another strong Indian response at the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee, where New Delhi objected to what it described as selective scrutiny under international human rights mechanisms.
On Tuesday, Barkha Tamrakar, Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, said India remained committed to engaging with international human rights institutions but stressed that such engagement must be guided by dialogue, consultation, cooperation, transparency and non-selectivity.
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Her statement followed concerns raised by more than 20 UN human rights experts about what they described as a repeatedly heavy-handed police response to youth-led protests in Delhi and other areas.
The experts called on Indian authorities to protect peaceful demonstrations and ensure accountability for alleged human rights violations.
India, however, rejected what it considered an unfair characterisation based on unverified allegations, incomplete statistics or reports that lacked specific observations about the country.
Tamrakar said India was prepared to address documented cases through established channels but opposed attempts to portray the country negatively on the basis of claims that had not been adequately verified.
New Delhi Demands Greater Accountability and Impartiality
India has also recently challenged a report by a UN human rights expert concerning a satirical political movement formed by young people, urging the expert to verify allegations before drawing conclusions.
The successive exchanges highlight New Delhi’s growing emphasis on factual accuracy, impartiality and accountability in the functioning of UN-appointed experts.
India maintains that international human rights and counter-terrorism mechanisms must operate transparently, rely on verifiable information and avoid selective treatment of countries.
The dispute over the Dawood Ibrahim report has brought these concerns into sharp focus, linking the questions of terrorism, international accountability and India-Pakistan relations in a single diplomatic confrontation.
For New Delhi, the central argument is that reports concerning terrorism must present the available evidence and historical context accurately, while international institutions must apply consistent standards when addressing allegations involving individuals, organisations and states.
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