Pakistan has, for decades, used the United Nations platform to present its terror tactics against India as ‘moral support’ for the ‘self-determination’ demand of the J&K population. It did so again at the UNGA on 26 September, completely distanced from existing reality. As usual, Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif’s assertions were strongly refuted by India’s First Secretary in the Permanent Mission to the UN, Petal Gahlot, and then External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The EAM rightly described Pakistan as the ‘epicentre of terrorism’ and reiterated India’s right to respond effectively against attacks such as in Pahalgam.
The unfortunate truth is that the western powers – the United States, in particular – have turned a blind eye to Pakistan’s doings because it has in various ways served as their pawn in the global power game. Even now, it has thrown itself at the feet of POTUS Donald Trump and is, in return, receiving unashamed support for its posturing. It is also attempting to play a larger role in its neighbourhood with pacts like the one with Saudi Arabia that even involves providing ‘nuclear’ cover.
The United Nations has obviously failed to acknowledge Pakistan’s terrorism, despite ‘every terrorist organisation having been traced to that country’, due to the dominance of the western powers in the UN Security Council. The demand for better representation of other major powers, including India, in the Council has been consistently rejected, which is one reason for its inability to prevent even a fundamentally weak nation like Pakistan from continuing with its terrorism. It is no wonder that it can do nothing about the major ongoing wars such as in Ukraine and Gaza.
EAM Jaishankar also mentioned the global trade uncertainty and tariff volatility in this context, as it further draws focus away from the real issues. While India’s is a fundamentally self-sustainable economy, wealth generation also requires a healthy export sector. While India trades in goods and services, Pakistan is continuing to barter away its sovereignty to others such as the US and China. This is creating increased volatility in that country. The attention of the populace is being sought to be diverted from these problems by further stoking anti-India terror activity. The political collapse took place very early on in Pakistan’s short history with military takeovers. Now, its economy is on the brink of disaster. India needs to prepare for this as desperation levels will rise even higher in the Pakistani establishment. India can expect no help from the international community or the UN in this regard, as their morality has been reduced to empty, self-serving statements.
