Pahalgam Terror Attack 2025 Sparks UNSC Consultation
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is expected to convene today, May 5, for a closed-door meeting. This is after Pakistan’s request for a meeting about escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, particularly following the Pahalgam Terror Attack 2025. This meeting indicates rising global concern regarding growing tensions between two nuclear-capable competitors.
Pakistan Calls on Security Council for Urgent Meeting
As part of the rotating seat of the 15-member Security Council, Pakistan formally requested the meeting this week. The Council, currently held by Greece for May, is expected to have the meeting on Monday afternoon.
Greek Ambassador Evangelos Sekeris acknowledged the meeting was a chance for members to discuss. Also, hopefully help de-escalate tensions in the region. “The Security Council does condemn terrorism in all its forms. We empathize with the governments of India and Nepal and the families of those who perished in the April 22 attack”, he added.
The Pahalgam terrorist attack has triggered a wave of international condemnation of the attack that killed 26 civilians. Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has been undertaking a diplomatic effort. He has contacted almost all of the Council members excluding Pakistan and China.
He stressed there were need to be accountability for those carrying out and supporting those crimes.
As Jaishankar contacted members of the Council, he spoke to representatives of, but not limited to, the United States, Great Britain, Russia, France, South Korea, etc. He also noted Greece aligning itself with states having a strong position against cross-border terrorism. It lead Jaishankar to hypothesized about the identity of the strategic partnership between India and Greece.
Deve Gowda Praises Action by Modi
Former Prime Minister, H.D. Deve Gowda welcomed the strong opinion and timely action of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government after the Pahalgam incident. He spoke about the importance of national unity and solidarity against terrorism. He also praised India for exposing state-sponsored terrorism and clearly showing the distinction from state-supported terrorism at the diplomatic level internationally.
International Concerns About Local Engagement
Ambassador Sekeris expressed that the growing friction between India and Pakistan is one to be concerned about. Especially in terms of both countries’ status in the world and capacity (nuclear capability). “Clearly, India is much larger,” he said whilst indicating that the UNSC is engaging with the situation with the “gravity” it deserved.
For his part, Pakistan’s ambassador to the UN, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad defended his country’s prerogative to draw the UNSC together like this. “In light of the regional security situation, particularly with respect to Jammu and Kashmir, we felt it was important that our efforts pay due respect to the UNSC.” Ahmad said.
“We will certainly be watching attentively.” Ahmad noted, confirming his position that the UNSC should recognize what he viewed to be a threat to “regional and global peace and security.”
United Nations says that Terrorism is a Major issue
But Pakistan doesn’t have a chance to update Secretary General Antonio Guterres this week. It will remain uneasy – the united nations is standing by proclaiming that it doesn’t tolerate terrorism and it supports diplomatic discussions in resolving regional disagreements.
Most of the Members of the Council appear to be focusing on trying to prevent future escalations with the recent issues taking place in Jammu and Kashmir.
With the UNSC getting ready for their meeting – there is worldwide interest on exactly what the results of these private discussions will produce. It is unclear whether there will be any concrete decisions to take place from the discussions in Council. But it does signal a bigger global concern of the heightening risk of conflict in South Asia.
The global community is starting to notice as it is heading towards the front pages of international newspapers. Based on the recent news updates indicating the situation is deteriorating. Depending on what the Council decides today could potentially have a historical impact on what the next phase of diplomacy will be between India and Pakistan.
