India has expressed strong criticism and unease over Pakistan's recent appointment to key counter-terrorism panels within the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). This development has sparked outrage and concern in New Delhi, with officials and political figures alike questioning the logic and implications of entrusting a nation known for harboring terrorists with such responsibilities.
The appointment sees Pakistan chairing the UNSC committee established under Resolution 1988 (2011), which oversees the implementation of sanctions against the Taliban. Furthermore, Pakistan has been named as the vice-chair of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC), a body that monitors the implementation of Resolution 1373 (2001), a core component of the UN's global counter-terrorism architecture. In addition to these roles, Pakistan will also serve as co-chair of two subsidiary bodies: the Informal Working Group on Documentation and the newly formed Working Group on Sanctions.
The decision has been met with sharp reactions. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, speaking at a public event in Dehradun, used a striking analogy, stating that appointing Pakistan to the counter-terrorism panel was "like making a cat guard the milk," highlighting the perceived absurdity of the situation. He recalled Pakistan being made the Vice-Chair of the Counter-Terrorism Panel by the United Nations Security Council just after the 9/11 attack, despite the country sheltering the masterminds of the attack.
Concerns voiced extend beyond mere symbolism. There is a palpable fear that Pakistan could exploit its position to undermine India's efforts to combat terrorism and potentially project India as a source of terrorism, particularly in regions like Balochistan. Some reports suggest that the counter-terrorism committee could even request reports on terrorist activities in Balochistan, a move that could be used to further Pakistan's agenda.
Opposition parties in India have also criticized the UNSC's decision. Congress party president Mallikarjun Kharge called the appointment "ill-informed and unacceptable" and urged the government to take diplomatic steps to "de-hyphenate India and Pakistan on the global stage." Other political figures have echoed these sentiments, with some describing the UNSC's decision as a "joke" and indicative of a "foreign policy collapse."
Despite the concerns, there is also a sense of cautious optimism that the presence of other countries on these panels will act as a counterbalance to Pakistan's influence. For instance, Algeria chairs the Counter-Terrorism Committee, while France and Russia also serve as vice-chairs alongside Pakistan. Similarly, Guyana and Russia are vice-chairs of the Taliban sanctions committee. India is reportedly working with its allies within the UNSC to mitigate any potential negative impact from Pakistan's new roles.
Experts suggest that while Pakistan's presence on these committees is concerning, the consensus-based nature of these bodies might limit its ability to push through agendas that are not supported by other members. Shashi Tharoor, an Indian Member of Parliament, noted that these committees operate on consensus, making it difficult for a single chair to unilaterally advance a particular agenda.
India's stance remains firm: it views Pakistan as a state sponsor of terrorism and believes that it should be held accountable for its actions. The country's representatives at the UN have consistently highlighted Pakistan's support for cross-border terrorism and have called for the international community to recognize and address this issue. Despite Pakistan's new roles within the UNSC, India is expected to continue its efforts to expose Pakistan's support for terrorism and to work with its allies to counter any attempts to undermine global counter-terrorism efforts.
