Indians fume as Pakistan secures key UN counter-terror roles
Indians erupted in outrage after Pakistan secured leadership roles on two pivotal UN Security Council committees this week despite New Delhi's years-long campaign to isolate it internationally.
The diplomatic blow for India came Wednesday when Pakistan was named:
Vice Chair of the UNSC's Counter-Terrorism Committee (established post-9/11 under Resolution 1373), which oversees global anti-terrorism compliance.
Chair of the committee monitoring Taliban sanctions (Resolution 1988).
The appointments cap a string of failures for India's isolation strategy, following similar setbacks at the IMF and ADB.
BJP-linked figures lashed out, with some calling the UN's credibility into question. 'The UNSC has become a joke' fumed one BJP linked journalist, Smita Prakash.
Others called on the Indian leadership to leave the UN.
Major Indian outlets, including The Hindustan Times, blasted the UN's decision with provocative headlines.
The diplomatic firestorm erupts mere weeks after the rivals teetered on the brink of war during their most dangerous military confrontation in decades.
The flashpoint came in late April when a brutal attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir left 26 dead—a massacre New Delhi pinned squarely on Pakistan.
Islamabad's furious denials fell on deaf ears as the incident triggered cross-border airstrikes and brought the nuclear-armed neighbors to the edge of full-scale conflict.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
Aggressive rhetoric
EDITORIAL: India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on an image-building visit to France and some other EU countries has made several pointed and provocative remarks about Pakistan. In an interview with Politico Magazine he accused Islamabad of using 'terrorism as an instrument of state policy', going on to claim that it was training 'thousands' of terrorists 'in the open' and 'unleashing' them on India. In a vain attempt to cover up the setback Indian military, particularly air force, suffered during last month's misadventure against Pakistan, he asserted, 'we are not going to live with it... And we don't care where they are. If they are deep in Pakistan, we will go deep into Pakistan.' Jaishankar's belligerent remarks have earned him a sharp rebuke from the Foreign Office in Islamabad. 'The discourse of top diplomats should aim to promote peace and harmony rather than producing bellicose punch lines,' said the FO. It also advised New Delhi to desist from concocting misleading narratives to justify its recent aggressive actions, emphasising the need for peaceful coexistence, dialogue and diplomacy. Aggressive actions have not worked so far to Modi government's advantage, however. Its military preparedness' weakness was first exposed in the 2019 air strike in Balakot, when in a retaliatory response the next day Pakistan downed at least one Indian jet and captured the pilot. Yet it employed the same ruse – unsubstantiated allegation of terrorism in Pahalgam – and tactics last month, launching missile and drone strikes inside this country. In the ensuing conflict it lost six of its top of the line jets. New Delhi since has been too embarrassed to name the number of warplanes shot down in action. When asked by Politico Jaishankar also wouldn't come to the point; all he could say was that the appropriate authorities would communicate on the matter when ready. But France, where he was speaking, knows the truth not only because of the three Rafale jets the PAF downed, but also for the reason that the EU and other major powers – the US, China, and Russia – all have eyes in the sky (satellite constellations). They could see exactly what happened and where to IAF aircraft. As a result, Pakistan's esteem has risen in diplomatic and military circles. While India likes to position itself as the dominant power in South Asia and also projected as a 'Net Security Provider' in the indo-Pacific region, the reversal it suffered during the four-day confrontation has undermined that narrative. Pakistan 's ability to withstand, repel, and convincingly outmanoeuvre Indian military moves make it confident to be more rational and restrained in reacting to minister Jaishankar's offensive remarks. The FO's call for improving the standard of discourse is a genuine plea for elevating the quality of discourse in one of the world's most volatile regions. If only the two nations interact with civility, that can pave the way to peaceful co-existence, if not cooperation. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
Firmly committed to IWT: MoFA
ISLAMABAD: Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said on Saturday that Pakistan remains firmly committed to the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) and will take all necessary measures to protect its legitimate rights and entitlements under it. Responding to media queries regarding the Indian Home Minister's assertion that the IWT will never be restored, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, 'The statement reflects a brazen disregard for the sanctity of international agreements.' The IWT is not a political arrangement, but an international treaty with no provision for unilateral action. India's illegal announcement to hold the Treaty in abeyance constitutes a clear violation of international law, the provisions of the Treaty itself, and the fundamental principles governing inter-state relations. Such conduct sets a reckless and dangerous precedent—one that undermines the credibility of international agreements and raises serious questions about the reliability and trustworthiness of a state that openly refuses to fulfil its legal obligations. India says it will never restore Indus water treaty with Pakistan The FO spokesperson said that weaponising water for political ends is irresponsible and contrary to established norms of responsible state behaviour. India must immediately rescind its unilateral and unlawful stance, and restore the full and unhindered implementation of the IWT.
Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
Pakistan didn't seek ceasefire: FO
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Saturday refuted India's assertion that it had requested a ceasefire following Indian aggression on May 10. 'We categorically reject claims that Pakistan sought a ceasefire following the Indian aggression'. Spokesperson of the Foreign Office Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan stated this while responding to the claims in Indian media that Deputy Prime Minister/ Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar said that Pakistan requested a ceasefire with New Delhi. In response to media queries regarding claims in Indian media, the spokesperson said the Deputy Prime Minister/ Foreign Minister, has in his media interviews and statements, explained that Pakistan responded decisively to Indian aggression in exercise of its right to self-defence. 'Friendly states, including Saudi Arabia, and particularly the United States, played a crucial role in facilitating the ceasefire between Pakistan and India,' Ambassador Khan added. India's Modi maintains there was no US mediation in ceasefire with Pakistan The sequence of events clearly demonstrates that Pakistan did not initiate or ask anyone for a ceasefire but agreed to it when around 0815 am on 10th May 2025, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the DPM/ FM, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, and informed that India is ready to ceasefire if Pakistan is willing, he pointed out. The FO spokesperson asserted the Deputy Prime Minister confirmed Pakistan's acceptance and later around 9 am Saudi FM Prince Faisal also called DPM and informed the same about India and sought same confirmation which Secretary of State Marco Rubio had sought earlier. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
