At the United Nations Security Council, India fiercely rebutted Pakistan’s attempts to internationalize the Kashmir issue and challenge the Indus Waters Treaty. India’s UN Ambassador P Harish accused Pakistan of harboring terrorism and disrupting international peace, labeling it a “terror haven” and “serial borrower.” Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar insisted Kashmir is a disputed territory and demanded UN intervention. This heated exchange highlights the escalating diplomatic tensions and the complex geopolitical battle over Kashmir and water rights in South Asia.
00:00Consequent to the gruesome terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on 22nd April 2025, that led to the killing of 26 innocent tourists,
00:10India launched Operation Sindur, targeting terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, which was focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature.
00:20Mr. President, in conclusion, India remains committed to working towards international peace and security through multilateralism and peaceful settlement of disputes.
00:28Mr. President, this is an important debate.
00:31As we complete 80 years of the United Nations, it's a useful moment to reflect on how far the spirit of multilateralism and peaceful settlements of disputes as enshrined in the UN Charter has been realized.
00:43Also, what have been the impediments on the way.
00:46The first four decades after the creation of the United Nations witnessed decolonization and a period of Cold War.
00:53Conflicts were largely contained and managed.
00:55UN had a significant role in these efforts.
00:59In fact, in 1988, UN peacekeeping forces were awarded the Nobel Prize.
01:04The end of Cold War was followed by outbreak of a number of conflicts across continents.
01:09The nature of UN peacekeeping operations also started to change.
01:13In the recent decades, the nature of conflicts has transformed with the proliferation of non-state actors, often proposed and propped up as proxies by state actors, and cross-border funding, arms trafficking, training of terrorists, and spread of radical ideologies facilitated by modern digital and communication technologies.
01:33The future trajectory of UN peacekeeping operations is also under serious debate.
01:39At the same time, peacebuilding has also acquired greater salience in discussions.
01:44Regional organizations, for instance the African Union, have also engaged appropriately while dealing with disputes among their member states.
01:51On the question of peaceful settlement of disputes, Chapter 6 of the UN Charter, begins by a recognition that it is the parties to a dispute who must first of all seek a solution by peaceful means of their own choice.
02:04National ownership and consent of parties are central to any efforts to achieve peaceful resolution of conflicts.
02:10There should also be a serious cause to states who violate the spirit of good neighborliness and international relations by fomenting cross-border terrorism.
02:20Recently, consequent to the gruesome terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on 22nd April 2025, that led to the killing of 26 innocent tourists.
02:30And, based on the Council's statement of 25th April, where members of the Security Council underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers, and sponsors of this reprehensible act of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice,
02:45India launched Operation Sindur, targeting terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, which was focused, measured, and non-escalatory in nature.
02:54On achieving its primary objectives, a cessation of military activities was directly concluded at the request of Pakistan.
03:02Mr. President, there cannot be one standard approach to dispute resolution.
03:07The changing circumstances and context also need to be taken into account while considering any such efforts.
03:13India, as a responsible actor and a founding member of the United Nations, has always actively engaged constructively with partners,
03:19especially at the United Nations, in collectively working towards a more peaceful, prosperous, and a just and equitable world.
03:28From peace and security to decolonization to fair trade, India remains also the largest contributor to UN peacekeeping forces cumulatively,
03:37and a pioneer in promoting women in peacekeeping who have become role models while serving in theaters of conflict.
03:42In an interconnected and interdependent world, India values multilateral cooperation to help manage global challenges,
03:51including sustainable development, climate action, disaster resilience, and global health.
03:57India partners the United Nations in a unique development cooperation initiative
04:00and is also among the first responders in humanitarian crises in our region.
04:06We are at a time when there are growing doubts about the multilateral system, especially the United Nations.
04:11The serious question marks over the representativeness of the UN Security Council must be addressed urgently.
04:17In this context, India is proud to have facilitated the inclusion of African Union in the G20 platform during its presidency.
04:24The continuing UN Security Council impasse also shows the increasing challenges to efficiency and effectiveness of the UN Security Council.
04:32Mr. President, I am constrained also to respond to the remarks made by the representative of Pakistan.
04:37The Indian subcontinent offers a stark contrast in terms of progress, prosperity, and development models.
04:44On the one hand, there is India, which is a mature democracy, a surging economy, and a pluralistic and inclusive society.
04:50At the other extreme is Pakistan, steeped in fanaticism and terrorism, and a serial borrower from the IMF.
04:56As we debate promoting international peace and security, it is essential to recognize that there are some fundamental principles which need to be universally respected.
05:04One of them is zero tolerance for terrorism.
05:07It ill behoves a member of the Council to offer homilies while indulging in practices that are unacceptable to the international community.
05:14Mr. President, in conclusion, India remains committed to working towards international peace and security through multilateralism and peaceful settlement of disputes.
05:22I thank you, Mr. President.
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