As Pakistan prepares to assume the presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in July 2025, India is formulating a multi-pronged strategy to counter its influence and highlight its own strengths on the global stage. This approach involves showcasing India's economic progress, emphasizing its commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and addressing the critical issue of cross-border terrorism.
One key element of India's strategy is to leverage its economic achievements and contributions to global sustainable development. To this end, India plans to organize a photo exhibition in New York to highlight its economic growth story. Suman Bery is expected to participate in UN programs to further promote India's economic progress and commitment to sustainable development.
A critical aspect of India's strategy is to address the issue of cross-border terrorism, which India has long maintained is sponsored by Pakistan. India is likely to work with allies such as France, Russia, Denmark, and Algeria to counter Pakistan's moves within the UNSC. By focusing on cross-border terrorism, India aims to draw attention to Pakistan's alleged role in supporting terrorist activities and undermine its credibility on the international stage.
Pakistan's recent assumption of the chair of the UNSC's Taliban sanctions committee has added another layer of complexity to the situation. This development has raised concerns in India, given Pakistan's attempts to improve its ties with the Taliban, facilitated by China. India will need to carefully navigate this situation, working with its allies to ensure that the Taliban sanctions regime is not weakened or undermined.
Historically, Pakistan has attempted to use its UNSC presidencies to focus on the Kashmir issue. In 2013, Pakistan tried to redirect the UN's attention towards Kashmir and initiated a ministerial debate on counter-terrorism to gloss over its own inadequacies in countering terrorism. While the UNSC presidency does not grant any special substantive powers, it does offer procedural advantages, such as the ability to convene closed-door consultations of the Council.
India recognizes that Pakistan may try to leverage its UNSC platform to raise concerns about India's alleged role in Balochistan and propagate false claims of India's support for terrorist attacks in Pakistan. Therefore, India's diplomatic strategy will likely involve proactively countering these narratives and presenting its own perspective on regional security issues.
Despite the challenges posed by Pakistan's UNSC presidency, some analysts suggest that Pakistan's influence within the UNSC's subsidiary bodies may be limited. The consensus-based model of these committees, where every member must agree for a proposal to pass, can hinder effective action. Moreover, Pakistan does not hold key positions in all relevant committees, such as the 1267 Committee, where many sanctioned individuals are linked to Pakistan.
In conclusion, India is actively developing a comprehensive strategy to address the challenges and potential risks associated with Pakistan's upcoming UNSC presidency. This strategy encompasses economic diplomacy, a focus on sustainable development, and a determined effort to counter cross-border terrorism. By working closely with its allies and proactively addressing Pakistan's narratives, India aims to protect its interests and maintain regional stability during this period.
