The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is set to hold closed consultations on Monday to deliberate on the rapidly escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack of 22 April. The meeting, scheduled by the Greek Presidency of the UNSC, was convened at the behest of Islamabad.
According to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, its representatives plan to brief the Council on “regional developments” in the aftermath of the Pahalgam incident, particularly India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, a 1960 agreement brokered by the World Bank.
"This important diplomatic move is part of Pakistan's efforts to present accurate facts to the international community," stated Pakistan’s foreign office, which currently holds one of the 10 non-permanent seats in the 15-member Council.
The UNSC comprises five permanent members with veto powers – China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States – alongside 10 non-permanent members. These presently include Algeria, Denmark, Greece, Guyana, Pakistan, Panama, South Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia and Somalia. Greece holds the rotating presidency for May.
Ambassador Evangelos Sekeris, Permanent Representative of Greece to the United Nations and current President of the Security Council, told Press Trust of India (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 has maintained that its suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty was prompted by "sustained cross-border terrorism" emanating from Pakistani soil. Investigators have reportedly traced links to Pakistan in the Pahalgam attack, which left several security personnel and civilians dead.
Also read: UNSC denounces Pahalgam attack, calls for justice
Pakistan, however, has denied any involvement in the incident and has called for a “neutral investigation.” It has also categorically rejected India’s move to suspend the water-sharing agreement, warning that any attempt to halt the flow of water into Pakistan would be interpreted as an “act of war”.
As part of its response to the terror attack, India has expelled Pakistani military attachés, closed the Attari land-transit post, and reached out to eight non-permanent UNSC member states in what is being described as a broad diplomatic push.
Last week, India issued a stern warning to the United Nations, cautioning that Pakistan was “misusing and undermining” the global body to spread propaganda and level “baseless allegations” against New Delhi.
In retaliation to India’s actions, Pakistan has closed its airspace to all Indian carriers and suspended trade with India, including third-party routes. It has also described India’s diplomatic measures as escalatory and unjustified.
The Pahalgam attack – widely condemned by the international community – has further strained an already fragile relationship between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Previous attempts at resuming peace talks have faltered over cross-border terror accusations, ceasefire violations, and long-standing disputes over Kashmir.
Analysts suggest today’s closed-door consultations may not result in immediate action, but signal growing international concern over South Asia’s deteriorating security environment.
As tensions continue to rise, both India and Pakistan are under scrutiny over how they intend to de-escalate hostilities while asserting their respective positions on cross-border terrorism and regional water resources.
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