India tells UN to wind up its mission on Kashmir, says UNMOGIP has outlived its utility

New Delhi: India on Monday suggested to the United Nations to wind up its mission on Kashmir. Participating in a debate on the UN's peacekeeping operations, India said that the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) had outlived its utility and the UN could better utilise it elsewhere.

Addressing the gathering, India's permanent representative to the UN Hardeep Puri said, "The UNMOGIP's role has been overtaken by the Shimla Agreement of 1972 between India and Pakistan. In times of austerity, we need to address the question whether the resources being spent on UNMOGIP would not be better utilised elsewhere."

It is also noteworthy that Pakistan had briefed the group on the recent ceasefire violations at the Line of Control, also seeking an investigation by them.

The UNMOGIP observers have been present in India since 1949. Their office is located in Srinagar.

The UNMOGIP observers have been present in India since 1949. Out of these, 39 are military observers and are posted in Kashmir, 25 are international civilian personnel and 48 local civilian staff. Their office is in Srinagar.

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