In closed-door meeting, UNSC asks Pakistan tough questions amid heightened tensions with India
The meeting was scheduled by Greece, president of the UNSC for the month of May, after Pakistan raised a request for the same. The 15-member UNSC did not issue a statement after the meeting, but Pakistan claimed that its own objectives were 'largely served', PTI reported.
Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations Khaled Mohamed Khiari of Tunisia briefed the Council on behalf of both departments (DPPA and DPO).
Coming out of the meeting, Khiari said there was a call for 'dialogue and peaceful resolution of the conflict.' He noted that the 'situation is volatile.' Ambassador Evangelos Sekeris, a Permanent Representative of Greece to the United Nations and the current UNSC President, described it as a 'productive meeting, helpful'.
The closed-door UNSC meeting did not take place in their usual horse-shoe seating room, but in a consultation room next to it. It lasted about an hour.
Quoting sources, PTI reported that Pakistan's efforts to internationalise the situation also failed. Many members expressed concern that Pakistan's missile tests and nuclear rhetoric were escalatory factors.
Pakistan's objectives 'largely served' in meeting
Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad told reporters that the country's objectives were 'largely served and achieved' at the meeting.
Ahmad said that the objectives of the meeting enabled the UNSC members to have a discussion on the deteriorating security environment and rising tensions between India and Pakistan and to have an exchange of views on how to address the situation, including avoiding confrontation that could have serious consequences and the need for de-escalation.
He thanked the Council for their push for de-escalation and dialogue, and added that while Pakistan does not seek confrontation, 'we are fully prepared to defend our sovereignty and territorial integrity'.
Pahalgam attack aftermath
Tensions between India and Pakistan remain heightened after the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, where attackers opened fire on a group of tourists, killing 26 people. The Resistance Front, proxy organisation of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) claimed responsibility for the attack.
After the attack, the Indian government announced multiple measures against Pakistan, including suspension of the Indus Water Treaty and deporting Pakistani nationals from the country. Pakistan, in turn, retaliated by suspending the Simla Agreement.
Pakistani troops also carried out unprovoked firing at the Line of Control (LoC) for 12 consecutive nights, firing from areas across border districts of Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian Army responded to the firing proportionately.
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