Pahalgam Attack: United Nations Squares Off on Indo-Pak Escalation
UNSC Meeting on Pahalgam Terror Attack: Remarks from Diplomats Following Pakistan's Convening
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) locked horns in a private meeting on Monday to mull over the skirmishing between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam tragedy. The discussions, incited by Pakistan, resulted in debates on calm, dialogue, and conflict resolution.
Long-drawn negotiations lasting nearly 90 minutes occurred in the afternoon. Subsequently, the UNSC refrained from issuing a public statement, leaving the world in suspense.
Pakistan's UN representative, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, disclosed that the aims of the hush-hush gathering focused on examining the escalating security situation and the rising India-Pakistan tensions.
This month, Greece presides over the UNSC, and the discussions transpired without the customary horseshoe meeting table.
Reports point to a call for "dialogue and peaceful resolution of the strife" by Khaled Mohamed Khiari, the Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia, and Pacific, in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations[1]. Khiari is of Tunisian origin.
The Greek ambassador to the UN, Evangelos Sekeris, characterised the session as a fruitful discussion, beneficial to all parties involved.
A Russian emissary, exiting the conclave, hinted at the hope for de-escalation.
UN Chief Slams Pahalgam Terror Attack
António Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, gave a harsh rebuke to the Pahalgam terror attack, which left 26 people, primarily tourists, dead at the hands of extremists. Hours prior to the UNSC meeting, Guterres voiced his condemnation of the horrendous decimation.
The UN Chief showed empathy towards the raw emotions provoked by the offensive in Pahalgam, reiterating his vehement denunciation of the attack. He bluntly mentioned that intentional attacks on civilians are unacceptable and that justice should be served with credible and proper methods.
Declaring that restraint must reach its zenith in such perilous times and warning against edging closer to potential warfare, Guterres had, in prior interactions, urged both nations not to succumb to hostility[1]. The UN Chief made it clear that a military solution is not a remedy.
India's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has sworn to pursue and prosecute those responsible for the heinous attack. Taking proactive measures against Pakistan, India has put the Indus Waters Treaty on hold, suspended visa facilities, and closed airspace for Pakistani aircraft[1].
Over the last few days, Pakistani ministers have suggested that India is on the precipice of military action against their territory, and Pakistan has urged for an impartial investigation into the Pahalgam attack.
Keywords:
- Pahalgam Attack
- UNSC
- Pakistan
- Jammu and Kashmir
- The discussions at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) regarding the Pahalgam Attack focused on the escalating tension between India and Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir.
- Despite Pakistan initiating the debate, the UNSC did not issue a public statement following their meeting about the Pahalgam Attack, leaving the situation in uncertainty.
- UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, expressed his strong disapproval of the Pahalgam Attack, which left 26 civilians dead, emphasizing that intentional attacks on innocent people are unacceptable.
- Pakistan's UN representative, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, disclosed that the primary purpose of the private UNSC meeting was to explore ways to de-escalate the increasing security situation between India and Pakistan.
- In the wake of the Pahalgam Attack, both India and Pakistan have been engaged in a political and military standoff, with reports suggesting that India may be considering military action against Pakistan.
