DIPLOMATIC activity vis-à-vis Pakistan-India tension has picked up with the UN Security Council debating the issue and Secretary-General of the world body Antonio Guterres calling for “maximum restraint” from India and Pakistan, warning that escalating tensions risk spiralling into outright military confrontation.
While there was also a clear sense that regional stability cannot be sustained through unilateralism and that it requires principled diplomacy, engagement and adherence to international law, the Secretary-General offered his good offices to both governments to help defuse tensions and promote diplomacy, stressing that “a military solution is no solution.
” As has been underlined by Pakistan’s permanent representative to the UN, Asim Iftikhar, the country’s key objectives were largely achieved through the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting it had requested to address the prevailing tensions in South Asia.
As has been underlined by Pakistan’s permanent representative to the UN Asim Iftikhar said that the country’s objectives were largely achieved by a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting it had requested to discuss the prevailing tensions in South Asia.
The convening of the session and the stand taken by Pakistan during the debate highlighted the country’s commitment to peace and security of the region and peaceful resolution of the conflict.
It also offered an opportunity to present facts before the international community, which were, by and large, appreciated by other members.
Iftikhar highlighted that Pakistan “categorically rejected” India’s allegations that it was responsible for the Pahalgam attack, which was condemned by Pakistan and “all Council members”.
The Council was also reminded about the need to resolve the core issue of Jammu & Kashmir for the sake of regional peace and stability and that the UN has a special responsibility to make efforts for a just resolution of the conflict in accordance with its own resolutions.
Lasting peace in South Asia requires that the UNSC implements its own resolutions, which includes the holding of a UN-supervised plebiscite for Kashmiris to determine their own future.
This is crucial as Kashmir is the main reason for repeatedly pushing the two countries to the brink of wars.
As for allegations of Pakistan’s involvement in sponsoring terrorism (as levelled by India), the Council was reminded that Pakistan has been a frontline state in the war on terror, sacrificing over 90,000 lives along with immense economic setback.
India’s attempts to distort this reality, while ignoring its own destabilizing actions and involvement in terrorism abroad, including the case of Kulbhushan Jadhav and extraterritorial assassinations, must be met with truth, transparency and accountability.
Pakistan reiterated its call for a “transparent, neutral and credible investigation” of the Pahalgam attack, conveying a clear message that it has nothing to worry in case of a transparent and unbiased investigation of the incident.
As there was a clear sense for a peaceful resolution of the standoff and the UN Secretary-General has also offered to mediate, it would be in the fitness of things for the UN chief to take practical steps in view of the urgency of the situation.
India is bent upon disturbing peace in the region, whereas Pakistan, while fully determined to defend its security and sovereignty at all costs, has demonstrated a clear preference for dialogue.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated the country’s position when the Secretary General talked to him on telephone for the second time to discuss the latest situation and outreach efforts he is making to resolve the issue.
Pakistan has rightly pointed out to the UN that it should not remain an observer and instead should play an active role to ease the tension as maintenance of peace is the primary responsibility of the world body.
Mr Guterres has acknowledged that relations between the two nuclear neighbours have reached “a boiling point” warning it was “essential to avoid a military confrontation that could easily spin out of control.
However, mere realization and acknowledgement of the dangerous situation is not enough and the world body should play a proactive role as per its mandate.
