Permanent Mission of India
New York
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International Day to Combat Islamophobia jointly organized by OIC and UNAOC

Statement by Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, Permanent Representative
16 March 2026

Thank you Chair.

Excellencies,

Greetings to all on the holy month of Ramadan. My delegation is pleased to join the UN membership to commemorate the International day to combat Islamophobia.

My delegation strongly condemns violence and hatred in the name of religion, regardless of the religion under question. As a nation where followers of virtually every major world religion coexist peacefully and a nation that has given birth to four major world religions namely Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism, India more than any other country, is acutely aware of the need for a world free from religious discrimination. The philosophy of 'Sarva Dharma Sambhava' implying equal respect for all religions has been the civilizational way of life for India and one that inspired the secular ethos of the Indian Constitution.

Chair,

History bears repeated witness to how the politicization of religion does not solve and resolve grievances; however well-intentioned they risk lending legitimacy to precisely this kind of selective, polarizing narratives that breed further division. The United Nations was conceived as an institution that transcends religion, culture, and politics. Its credibility rests on universality and impartiality. We, therefore, urge caution against frameworks that exclusively focus on one faith, without addressing the broader phenomenon of religiophobia in all its manifestations. This is why the 1981 Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief remains, in our view, a very balanced and enduring instrument that enshrines the rights of all religious followers without privileging any.

The United Nations' greatest contribution to peace and human dignity lies in its efforts to maintain international peace and security, bringing everlasting peace in conflict situation, its development work and humanitarian action, and its promotion of universal human rights - work that is conducted without regard to the faith of those it serves. Global public goods, like sunshine, should be available to one and all irrespective of affiliations. The UN has built its credibility through tireless work on conflict resolution, poverty alleviation, and protection of civilians. We urge the UN to remain anchored to this founding spirit.

I stress that it is important for the UN to take note of the rising trend and dangers of weaponizing religious identity and instrumentalizing it to serve narrow political ends - by state and non-state actors alike. India's western neighbor is an excellent example of fabricating imaginative tales of Islamophobia in their neighbourhood. One wonders what would brutal repression of Ahmadiyyas in this country be termed, or the large scale refoulement of the helpless Afghans or air-bombing campaigns in this Holy Month of Ramadan?

India is home to more than 200 million Muslims, one of the largest Muslim populations in the world. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation, which our western neighbour has systematically attempted to weaponize against India, has, repeatedly made false and baseless allegations against my country. Muslims in India, including those in Jammu and Kashmir, elect their own representatives to speak for them. The only “phobia” evident here appears to be directed against the multicultural and peaceful coexistence that all communities in India enjoy, including Muslim communities. Such narratives run counter to India’s fundamental ethos and reflect instead the sectarianism and terrorist mentality that this country has perpetuated since its inception. That is the real issue at hand.

As we observe the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, India reaffirms its commitment to a world free from religious hatred and violence, in all its forms. We urge the UN to channel its time and limited resources towards building inclusive societies grounded in equality, dignity, and the rule of law - for every individual of every faith.

Thank you Chair.