New Delhi:
The United Nations Security Council will hold closed consultations today to discuss the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. The Greek Presidency had scheduled the meeting for this afternoon after a request for “closed consultations” from Islamabad.
Pakistan’s foreign office said yesterday it would brief the UN on regional developments in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty by India.
“This important diplomatic move is part of Pakistan’s efforts to present accurate facts to the international community,” said the foreign office of Pakistan, a non-permanent member of the 15-nation Security Council.
Apart from the five veto-wielding permanent members — China, France, Russia, UK and the US — the 10 non-permanent members in the Council are Algeria, Denmark, Greece, Guyana, Pakistan, Panama, South Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia and Somalia. Greece hold the presidency of the body for the month of May.
Permanent Representative of Greece to the United Nations and President of the Security Council for the month Ambassador Evangelos Sekeris had earlier told PTI, “This is a position of principle. We condemn terrorism in all its forms, everywhere it is happening. On the other hand, we are concerned about this tension which is mounting in the region.”
India had suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, citing “sustained cross-border terrorism” from Pakistan after terror links to the neighbouring country emerged in the Pahalgam attack. Denying responsibility, Pakistan had called for a “neutral investigation”.
A week ago, India also warned the UN over Pakistan misusing and undermining the global forum to “indulge in propaganda and make baseless allegations against India.”
India has also reached out to eight non-permanent member nations of the Security Council as part of its diplomatic offensive.
Following the Pahalgam attack, India announced a string of measures against Pakistan, including the expulsion of Pakistani military attaches, suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and immediate closure of the Attari land-transit post.
In response, Pakistan shut its airspace to all Indian airlines and suspended trade with New Delhi, including through third countries. It also rejected India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and said any measures to stop the flow of water to Pakistan under the pact would be seen as an “act of war”.