India on Tuesday criticised Pakistan for raising the Kashmir issue during an informal United Nations Security Council forum, accusing Islamabad of misusing its role as co-chair of the meeting to pursue political objectives rather than maintaining neutrality.
Speaking at the informal Security Council meeting on “Bridging the Implementation Gap: Security Council Resolutions and Maintenance of International Peace and Security”, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, P Harish, firmly rejected Pakistan’s remarks regarding Jammu and Kashmir.
“The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is a matter strictly internal to India. It is always been, is, and will remain so”, Harish said during the meeting.
He also questioned Pakistan’s conduct as co-chair of the forum, stating, “It is incredible that a co-Chair expected to be balanced and unbiased in conduct, has chosen to politicize this forum”.
Meeting jointly convened by China and Pakistan
The discussion was organised under the Arria Formula format, an informal mechanism of the Security Council that allows participation by member states, experts, organisations and other stakeholders outside the Council’s formal proceedings.
The meeting was jointly convened by China and Pakistan, with representatives of both countries serving as co-chairs.
During the session, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, raised the Kashmir issue and criticised India’s position on the region.
India points to implementation of past UN resolutions
India responded by highlighting Pakistan’s own record regarding Security Council resolutions related to Kashmir. According to India, Pakistan has failed to comply with provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 47 adopted in April 1948.
The resolution called for Pakistan to withdraw its armed forces, security personnel and civilians from areas of Kashmir that had come under its control following the conflict.
Indian representatives argued that Pakistan’s actions have hindered the implementation of resolutions it frequently cites in international forums.
Call for review of Security Council mandates
Apart from addressing the Kashmir issue, Harish also called for a broader review of Security Council mandates as part of the ongoing UN80 initiative, which seeks to evaluate the functioning and effectiveness of the United Nations as it marks its 80th year.
“India would like to emphasise that at a time when member states are undertaking mandate implementation review under the UN80 framework for all UN General Assembly mandates in order to achieve efficiencies, there is no reason why UN Security Council mandates should be outside the purview of such UN80 frameworks”, he said.
Harish suggested that provisions under Chapter VI of the UN Charter, which relate to mediation and peaceful settlement of disputes, should also be reassessed in light of changing geopolitical realities.
Outdated mediation frameworks need reassessment, says India
According to Harish, mediation efforts and intervention mechanisms cannot be assumed to remain relevant indefinitely.
“These interventions are drawn up in order to address the prevailing realities and do not have perpetual validity”, and, therefore, “they warrant a review in accordance with changing circumstances and contexts”, he said.
Referring to the Palestinian issue, he noted that despite decades of mediation initiatives and evolving diplomatic frameworks, a lasting solution remains elusive.
“There exists an undeniable case for reviewing outdated mediation frameworks, he said. “Any assumption of the perpetual applicability of a Chapter VI mediation intervention is erroneous to say the least”.
India maintained that periodic reviews of international mechanisms are necessary to ensure that they remain effective and aligned with contemporary realities.
(With inputs from IANS)
India slams Pakistan at UN for politicising forum with Kashmir remarks
