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UNSC to Hold Closed-Door Consultations Amid Escalating India-Pakistan Tensions Post-Pahalgam Attack

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UNSC to Hold Closed-Door Consultations Amid Escalating India-Pakistan Tensions Post-Pahalgam Attack

In the wake of the devastating terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam region that killed 26 people, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) will convene for closed consultations today, May 5, to deliberate on the rising tensions between India and Pakistan. The meeting follows a formal request by Islamabad, which has expressed serious concern over India’s sharp diplomatic and economic retaliatory measures.

Emergency Meeting Triggered by Pahalgam Terror Attack

The UNSC session was scheduled after Pakistan, a non-permanent member of the 15-nation body, asked for an emergency “closed consultation” over escalating hostilities with India. The Security Council, currently under the presidency of Greece for the month of May, agreed to hold the meeting in the afternoon at UN headquarters in New York. The move comes after the terror strike on April 22 in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 individuals—most of them tourists—making it one of the worst attacks on civilians in the region in over two decades.

While the United Nations and international leaders have condemned the attack, the involvement of The Resistance Front (TRF), believed to be an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, has further intensified India’s accusations of cross-border terrorism. Though TRF initially claimed responsibility, it later retracted, leaving ambiguity around its role. India, nonetheless, has firmly attributed the attack to Pakistan-backed elements.

India’s Diplomatic and Economic Response

Following the attack, the Indian government has taken a series of sweeping measures targeting Pakistan. These include suspending the historic Indus Waters Treaty, halting all imports from Pakistan, revoking all issued visas to Pakistani nationals, and barring Pakistani ships from accessing Indian ports. New Delhi also announced the closure of the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari on the Punjab border and suspended postal services with immediate effect.

On April 23, India’s Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, convened to approve these actions as part of a broader counter-terrorism and diplomatic strategy. The severity of India’s response reflects the gravity of the attack, which occurred while U.S. Vice President JD Vance was visiting India and PM Modi was on a state visit to Saudi Arabia.

Global and UN Reactions

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and various member states have strongly condemned the terror attack. Guterres personally called both Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, urging both nations to exercise “maximum restraint” to avoid further escalation. UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric emphasized the need for resolving issues through peaceful and meaningful engagement.

Ambassador Evangelos Sekeris, Greece’s Permanent Representative to the UN and the current UNSC President, acknowledged the importance of holding the closed-door session. He emphasized that the Security Council strongly condemns all acts of terrorism and acknowledged that India remains a consistent victim of cross-border attacks. Sekeris noted that such a session could serve as a platform for open expression of views, potentially aiding in de-escalating regional tensions.

Diplomatic Outreach and Strategic Partnerships

Jaishankar has reached out to all UNSC members, excluding China and Pakistan, to present India’s position and underscore the necessity of holding the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack accountable. He has had detailed discussions with top diplomats from the U.S., UK, France, and Russia. India particularly appreciated Greece’s firm stance against terrorism and highlighted the deepening strategic partnership between the two nations.

As tensions simmer between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, the outcome of today’s UNSC consultations could have significant implications for regional peace and global diplomatic alignments. While India pushes for global recognition of Pakistan’s alleged role in fostering terrorism, Pakistan seeks international support to prevent further isolation.