Pakistan Misusing UN Platform, Silent On Upping Nuclear Rhetoric: Govt Sources

News18

06-05-2025

Last Updated:
Pakistan's Permanent Representative at UN was also given a chance to make a 9-minute-long monologue against India even as UNSC did not come out with any statement on the meeting
Pakistan is misusing the United Nations (UN) platform by virtue of being a non-permanent member of the Security Council at present and ahead of it assuming the chair of the Security Council for the month of July.
This is what top government sources in India are saying, taking umbrage at Pakistan seeking, and getting, a closed-door meeting at the UN to discuss the India-Pakistan tensions in the wake of the Pahalgam tragedy. Pakistan's Permanent Representative at UN, Asim Iftikhar, was also given a chance to make a 9-minute-long monologue against India even as the UNSC did not come out with any statement on the meeting.
'This is unfortunate and ironic as it is Pakistan which is speaking of nuclear options after orchestrating the Pahalgam terror strike. The Pakistani representative in fact walked without answering the sole question asked on why Pakistani top leaders were ratcheting up the nuclear rhetoric and speaking about using full spectrum of power," a government source told CNN-News18.
Pakistan went on to raise the Kashmir issue in its monologue at the UN, calling for a plebiscite in Kashmir and claimed the unresolved issue of Kashmir was the root cause of the India-Pakistan tensions. It also accused India of a provocative stance, putting on hold the Indus Waters Treaty, and again asked for an impartial investigation into the 'Pahalgam incident", while condemning it.
However, inside the closed-door meeting, Pakistan was asked by other countries whether LeT was likely to be involved in the Pahalgam attack, and a recognition of the need for accountability, sources say. Some members specifically brought up targeting of tourists based on their religious faith. In fact, many members expressed concern that Pakistan's missile tests and nuclear rhetoric were escalatory factors, sources say. India has spoken to all members of the UNSC over the last one week, pressing its case against Pakistan.
Guterres pointed out that the tensions between India and Pakistan are 'highest" in recent years. 'It pains me to see India-Pakistan relations reaching a boiling point," he said.
He added: 'I deeply respect and am profoundly grateful to the governments and people of both countries and their significant contributions to the work of the United Nations, not least UN peacekeeping. And so it pains me to see relations reaching a boiling point."
He also said that both nations should pull back from the 'brink" and said the UN stands to support initiatives that promote de-escalation.
'Make no mistake: A military solution is no solution. And I offer my good offices to both governments in the service of peace. The United Nations stands ready to support any initiative that promotes de-escalation, diplomacy, and a renewed commitment to peace," he further added.
First Published:
May 06, 2025, 09:55 IST