Pakistan's UNSC attempt fails: Here's what happened inside the closed-door meeting

United Nations Security Council India-Pakistan tension (Representative Image)

Amid the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) held a closed-door meeting that ended without any concrete resolutions or statements.

After the meeting, India's former Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Syed Akbaruddin, told news agency PTI, "Like in the past, today also Pakistan's bullying has failed again. As expected, there was no meaningful response by the Council. Indian diplomacy has once again successfully thwarted Pakistan's efforts to seek the intervention of the Security Council."

Greece’s Permanent Representative to the UN and current Security Council President, Evangelos Sekeris, described the meeting as “productive and helpful,” though he acknowledged that no specific outcomes were achieved. “The Security Council is always helpful in such efforts to de-escalate. It is the responsibility of the Council,” he stated, signaling the Council’s cautious stance.

The meeting was held in a consultations room rather than the main UNSC chamber, underlining its informal and non-binding nature. As a closed consultation, no formal records or resolutions were issued.

UN Assistant Secretary-General for Middle East, Asia, and the Pacific Khaled Mohamed Khiari, who briefed the Council, told reporters that all members expressed the desire for de-escalation. Notably, the meeting stopped short of assigning blame or endorsing Pakistan’s accusations against India.

Before the start of the Security Council meeting, Syed Akbaruddin had remarked that no results could be expected from a discussion where one party to the conflict (i.e. Pakistan) attempts to shape perceptions through its membership in the Council. He added that India would ignore such Pakistani efforts.

Pakistan blames India

Pakistan is currently a member of the non-permanent group of the powerful 15-nation Security Council, where it requested "closed consultations" on the present situation.

Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, highlighted that the consultations were aimed at allowing Council members to discuss the deteriorating security environment and rising tensions between India and Pakistan. The goal was to exchange views on how to address the situation, including avoiding confrontation that could have serious consequences.

Highlighting the need for de-escalation, the Pakistani envoy blamed India for its military build-up and provocative actions. He also added that Pakistan is “fully prepared" to protect its sovereignty and integrity. Furthermore, he accused India of pursuing its political and strategic interests while rejecting Pakistan’s involvement in the April 22 attack in Pahalgam.

UN Chief condemns Pahalgam attack

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for calm and restraint between India and Pakistan following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, including one Nepali national. The incident has further escalated tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.

Addressing the media from the UN Security Council stake-out on Monday, Guterres condemned the attack in strong terms, describing it as “awful” and extending his sympathies to the victims' families. He stressed that targeting civilians is unacceptable under any circumstances and urged that those responsible be held accountable through fair and lawful means.

“This is a time for maximum restraint and stepping back from the brink,” Guterres said, warning that any military confrontation could spiral out of control with devastating consequences. He emphasized that violence is not a viable solution and reiterated that dialogue is the only path forward.

The Secretary-General expressed particular concern over the heightened tensions, calling the current state of India-Pakistan relations the most strained in years. He reaffirmed his commitment to engaging both sides in hopes of easing the situation through diplomatic efforts.

The UN’s stance comes amid growing international concern about the potential for conflict in the region following the deadliest attack in recent months.

Jaishankar talked to UNSC members

Before the commencement of the meeting, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar spoke with members of the United Nations Security Council, except China and Pakistan, emphasizing that those responsible for the Pahalgam terror attack must be held accountable. Jaishankar reiterated that the perpetrators, planners, and backers must face justice.