Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, a former diplomat and expert on UN affairs, has shared his insights on the recent closed-door discussions at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) regarding the escalating India-Pakistan tensions and the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Though the details of the meeting remain unclear due to its confidential nature, reports suggest that the UNSC members raised serious concerns with Pakistan about its involvement in terror-related activities.
Unlikely Resolutions Against India or Pakistan
Shashi Tharoor, drawing from his experience in the UN, firmly stated that the Security Council is unlikely to pass any resolutions criticizing either India or Pakistan. He emphasized that while China would likely veto any resolution against Pakistan, several countries would similarly object to any resolution criticizing India. According to Shashi Tharoor, the UNSC discussions are expected to center around calls for peace and concerns about terrorism, without making direct criticisms of either nation.
He added that the situation reflects the challenges of international diplomacy, where formal consultations and informal talks may not yield concrete resolutions that could impact either of the countries directly. The nature of the discussions, Shashi Tharoor noted, highlights the limitations of the UNSC when it comes to addressing regional conflicts in a manner that holds parties accountable.
Pakistan’s Position and UNSC’s Response to Pahalgam Attack
The deadly terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which killed 26 civilians, has drawn significant international attention. Shashi Tharoor explained that while Pakistan would have expected to benefit from being one of the non-permanent members of the UNSC during these discussions, the reality turned out differently. Reports indicate that UNSC members posed tough questions to Pakistan, particularly regarding the involvement of the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba in the Pahalgam attack.
Shashi Tharoor suggested that there was some criticism of the attack in the meeting, with many members acknowledging the serious threat posed by terrorism, which could provoke escalated reactions between India and Pakistan. Although no official statement has been issued yet by the UNSC or India, the discussions appear to have pointed towards terrorism as a dangerous provocation that may lead to further escalation if not contained.
While the UNSC might release an informal statement or call for further consultations, Shashi Tharoor underscored that the outcome would likely remain vague, reflecting the complexities of international politics and the ongoing challenges in managing tensions between India and Pakistan on global platforms.
