PAKISTAN’S UNSC POSTS: A DIPLOMATIC CHALLENGE FOR INDIA’S FIGHT AGAINST TERROR

PAKISTAN’S UNSC POSTS: A DIPLOMATIC CHALLENGE FOR INDIA’S FIGHT AGAINST TERROR

Background and Context

• On June 5, 2025, Pakistan announced its appointments to key United Nations Security Council (UNSC) positions for 2025:
  • Chair of the Taliban Sanctions Committee (Resolution 1988):
    • Responsible for enforcing sanctions—asset freezes, travel bans, and arms embargoes—on individuals and entities linked to the Taliban threatening peace and security in Afghanistan.
  • Vice-Chair of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (Resolution 1373) 2001:
    • Oversees implementation of international counter-terrorism frameworks, including combating terrorist financing and enhancing global cooperation.
• Pakistan also became co-chair of two UNSC Informal Working Groups:
  • One on documentation and procedural issues (with Denmark).
  • Another newly formed group with Greece to evaluate the effectiveness of UN sanctions.
• Moreover, Pakistan is set to preside over the UNSC in July 2025 over the 15-member Council when it assumes its presidency according to alphabetical rotation of the member states’ official names.
• This will allow Islamabad to set the Security Council’s agenda.
• This is Pakistan’s 8th term as a non-permanent member of the UNSC, with tenure from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2026.

Pakistan’s UN Ambassador, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, declared the intention to use the platform to highlight the Kashmir issue and spotlight terrorism concerns, with a clear anti-India agenda.

UNSC STRUCTURE & MEMBERSHIP

• The UNSC comprises:
  • 5 permanent members: China, France, Russia, UK, USA.
  • 10 non-permanent members: Elected for two-year terms; Pakistan is one for 2025-26.
• Other key chairs in 2025 include:
  • Algeria (Chair, Counter-Terrorism Committee)
  • Denmark (Chair, ISIL and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee)
  • Guyana and Russia (Vice-Chairs, Taliban Sanctions Committee)
• India previously chaired the Counter-Terrorism Committee in 2022 during its 2021-22 UNSC term.
• India consistently highlights Pakistan as a sanctuary for UN-proscribed terrorist groups.
• Historic example: Osama bin Laden’s presence in Abbottabad, Pakistan, until his death in 2011, demonstrates Pakistan’s role in harboring terrorists.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN UNSC MEMBERSHIPS

• On June 3, 2025, 5 new non-permanent UNSC members were elected for 2026-27:
  • Bahrain, Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Latvia, Colombia.
• These elections keep UNSC membership dynamic and affect global security agendas.

IMPLICATIONS & CHALLENGES FOR INDIA

a) Pakistan’s Diplomatic Platform to Push Its Narrative

• By chairing key terrorism-related committees, Pakistan can:
  • Project its narrative on Kashmir.
  • Deny or minimize accusations of supporting terrorism.
  • Shift blame onto India, accusing it of supporting insurgencies such as Baloch militants and Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

b) Dilution of International Support for India

• UNSC statements condemning terror attacks in India (e.g., Pahalgam attack) have been weakened under Pakistan’s influence.
• This hinders India’s efforts to obtain unequivocal global condemnation of terrorism against it.

c) Influence on UNSC Proceedings

• May 2025 marked the first UNSC closed-door consultation on the “India-Pakistan Question” since 2019.
• Pakistan’s roles enable it to influence framing and discussions, possibly hindering India’s narrative.

d) China-Pakistan Strategic Axis

• China’s close strategic partnership with Pakistan results in coordinated stances at UNSC and international forums.
• This cooperation complicates India’s attempts to diplomatically isolate Pakistan.

e) Pakistan-Afghanistan Diplomatic Ties

• Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to elevate ties to ambassadorial level, facilitated by China.
• The Taliban’s ambiguous position, coupled with China’s growing influence in Kabul, adds complexity to India’s regional diplomacy.

f) Opposition to India’s UNSC Permanent Membership

• Pakistan is expected to strongly oppose India’s bid for permanent UNSC membership, mobilizing support against it.

INDIA’S DIPLOMATIC RESPONSE

• India has actively engaged with UNSC members (excluding Pakistan, China, Somalia) to highlight Pakistan’s role in terrorism.
• Pressured global financial institutions (IMF, World Bank) to reconsider aid to Pakistan amid fears of funds fueling terrorism.
• Renewed efforts to reinstate Pakistan on the FATF grey list to cut off terror financing.
• Indian delegations visited capitals like Washington, Moscow, Brussels, and London for support.
• Despite these efforts, India faces a challenging diplomatic environment due to Pakistan’s entrenched position and China’s backing.

REGIONAL & GLOBAL SIGNIFICANCE

• Pakistan chairing terrorism-related UNSC committees is paradoxical given its documented support for terror groups targeting India.
• The situation highlights India’s difficulties in controlling the global counter-terrorism narrative.
• Close China-Pakistan coordination in the UNSC and increasing Pakistan-Afghanistan ties intensify regional geopolitical complexities.

IMPLICATIONS FOR GLOBAL COUNTER TERRORISM

• Diplomatic Challenge: Pakistan’s UNSC roles give it a platform to influence global terrorism discourse and possibly obstruct sanctions against terror groups.
• Conflict of Interest: As chair of the Taliban Sanctions Committee, Pakistan’s enforcement of sanctions may be biased due to its strategic ties with the Taliban.
• Consensus-Based Decisions: UNSC committees operate on consensus, allowing Pakistan to stall or dilute resolutions unfavorable to it or its allies.
• International Scrutiny: Countries including India and permanent UNSC members will closely monitor Pakistan’s actions to ensure genuine counter-terrorism efforts.

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