India occupied Kashmir, says Malaysian PM

New York/New Delhi : Malaysia joined Turkey and China in raising the Kashmir issue at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), with its Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad accusing India of "invading and occupying the country" of Jammu and Kashmir.

In his address to the 74th UNGA, Mohamad said: "Now, despite the UN resolution on Jammu and Kashmir, the country has been invaded and occupied."

"There may be reasons for this action but it is still wrong. The problem must be solved by peaceful means. India should work with Pakistan to resolve this problem.

Ignoring the UN would lead to other forms of disregard for the UN and the Rule of Law," said Mahathir. Meanwhile, days after UK's Labour Party passed a resolution condemning the situation in Kashmir, leader Jeremy Corbyn on Saturday batted for UNs intervention on the issue after a call with Pakistan PM Imran Khan.

"On a call with Imran, I listened to his concerns about the situation in Kashmir, including the ongoing curfew. The UN has a vital role in ensuring dialogue between India and Pakistan. Any political resolution must uphold the human rights of the Kashmiri people," the British Opposition leader said.

Corbyn's statement comes a day after Khan called for United Nations's intervention to resolve Kashmir issue. Khan had warned of 'bloodbath' in Kashmir and demanded the 'inhuman curfew' be lifted.

The Labour Party passed an emergency motion on Kashmir calling for Corbyn to seek international observers to enter the region and demand the right of self-determination for its people, drawing criticism from the Indian diaspora representatives who described it as "ill conceived" and "misinformed".

"The conference urges the Labour party to ask Jeremy Corbyn or ensure someone from the labour party is represented to attend the UNHRC to demand the restoration of basic human rights including the freedom of speech and communication, the lifting of curfews, and to allow the humanitarian aid organisation and international observers to enter the region," the resolution read.