Context:
- External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar strongly criticized the United Nations’ approach to counter-terrorism, highlighting that global frameworks often equate victims and perpetrators of terror.
- Speaking in the context of recent terror attacks in Pahalgam, he indirectly targeted Pakistan and China for shielding terror organizations and blocking sanctions at the UN.
- The remarks reflect India’s growing frustration with global inaction on terrorism and call for reforms in the UN system to ensure accountability and fairness.
Key Highlights:
- Critique of UN’s Counter-Terrorism Approach
- EAM Jaishankar asserted that the UN’s current mechanisms fail to differentiate between terror victims and perpetrators, diluting the moral clarity required to combat terrorism effectively.
- He questioned the effectiveness and credibility of the UN Security Council (UNSC) when some member states block designations against terror groups.
- Targeting Pakistan and China
- He indirectly accused Pakistan of providing political and diplomatic cover to terror outfits such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM).
- China was criticized for repeatedly blocking UN sanctions against Pakistan-based terror operatives, undermining global counter-terrorism efforts.
- The Resistance Front (TRF) Case
- The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow group of LeT, claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam terror attack (April 2025).
- Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar admitted to removing references to TRF from a UNSC statement condemning the attack — reflecting political shielding.
- The US State Department had designated TRF as both a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) in July 2025.
- Call for UN Reforms
- Jaishankar emphasized that UN decision-making no longer reflects contemporary realities or represents Global South priorities.
- Linked the slowing progress of the SDG Agenda 2030 to systemic inefficiencies and selective global responses.
- Advocated for structural reforms to ensure that terrorism is addressed uniformly, without political bias.
Relevant Mains Points:
- Issue:
- Global counter-terrorism mechanisms remain politically constrained.
- Nations like Pakistan continue to shelter terror networks, while China’s veto impedes accountability.
- India’s Position:
- Terrorism is a transnational threat requiring zero-tolerance and non-selective action.
- India seeks a reformed multilateral order where accountability and justice prevail over geopolitics.
- Impact on Global South:
- Developing nations face the dual challenge of security threats and stagnation in development goals (SDGs) due to geopolitical biases.
- Way Forward:
- Reform UNSC to include developing countries in decision-making.
- Strengthen global counter-terror conventions, especially the pending Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT).
- Encourage data-sharing and intelligence cooperation through platforms like UNCTC and FATF.