New York: The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) recently convened closed consultations concerning the ‘India-Pakistan Question’ to address the escalating regional security environment and mounting tensions between India and Pakistan, particularly in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
According to Radio Pakistan, the meeting was initiated at Pakistan’s behest due to India’s recent unilateral actions and provocative statements, which have significantly heightened the risk of military confrontation, jeopardizing regional and international peace and security. During the session, Council members expressed deep concern over the increased risk of escalation, underscoring the urgent need for restraint and de-escalation.
The UNSC members advocated for dialogue and diplomacy to defuse tensions, urging peaceful resolution of issues to avoid military conflict. Several members highlighted that the long-standing Jammu and Kashmir dispute is a core cause of regional instability and should be resolved following relevant Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri populace.
Many Council members emphasized adherence to international law concerning India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, briefed the Council on India’s provocative actions, including its unilateral measures announced on April 23, and its aggressive military posturing. He warned that these actions could have catastrophic consequences.
The Council was informed of intelligence suggesting an imminent threat of kinetic action by India against Pakistan. Pakistan affirmed its readiness to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, exercising its legitimate right to self-defense as outlined in the UN Charter, while reiterating that it does not seek escalation.
Pakistan firmly rejected India’s unfounded allegations linking it to the April 22 attack in IIOJK, stressing that such claims lack investigation or credible evidence. It was emphasized that these incidents should not justify aggression or breaches of international law.
The Security Council meeting also highlighted India’s involvement in state-sponsored terrorism against Pakistan and targeted assassinations. The Council members were briefed on India’s unilateral decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, a legally binding agreement brokered by the World Bank. Pakistan warned that attempts to obstruct or divert the natural flow of its river waters share could be deemed an act of war.
Pakistan welcomed calls by the UN Secretary-General and Council members for dialogue and de-escalation, urging intensified diplomatic efforts to ease tensions. The international community, particularly the Security Council, was urged to act with urgency to prevent a conflict that could have dire consequences for South Asia and beyond.
The ‘India-Pakistan Question’ remains one of the oldest items on the UN Security Council’s agenda, with the Council continuously addressing the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.