India urges UN human rights mechanisms to avoid politicisation, selectivity

India has urged UN human rights mechanisms to avoid “politicisation" and respect cultural and historical contexts, asserting that New Delhi is committed to advancing human rights for all without selectivity and double standards.

First Secretary at the Permanent Mission of India, Anuj Swarup, delivered India’s statement at the 81st Session of the UNGA Third Committee on Agenda Item ‘Report of the Human Rights Council’ on Monday (October 12, 2026).

Mr. Swarup said India will continue to work with the UN Human Rights High Commissioner and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in a “spirit of trust and partnership, as we remain committed to advancing human rights for all without selectivity and double standards”.

“We hope that the UN human rights mechanisms will rise above politicisation and selectivity, respecting cultural and historical context, so that these bodies remain an impartial moral compass for the world,” he said.

India’s remarks came days after it termed the Office of the High Commissioner’s remarks on protests in the national capital “unwarranted” and “unacceptable interference” in the country’s internal affairs.

Last week, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights had expressed concern over “reports of mass detentions of demonstrators, protest leaders, members of civil society organisations, lawyers and journalists, before and during today’s large-scale demonstrations in Delhi.”

Mr. Swarup said India's approach to human rights is rooted in its civilisational ethos of pluralism and peaceful coexistence.