Pakistan’s Entry into the UNSC
- On January 1, 2025, Pakistan will join the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as a non-permanent member for its eighth term.
- Half of the elected members of the UNSC for 2025-26 belong to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), indicating a significant OIC presence.
- New members, including Pakistan, replace outgoing members like Ecuador and Japan and will join existing members such as Algeria and Slovenia.
Key Focus Areas for Pakistan
- Afghanistan and the Taliban
- Pakistan aims to repair relations with the Taliban, with backing from Russia and China.
- OIC members are expected to push for a Gaza ceasefire and address the Palestinian cause.
- Peacekeeping
- Pakistan will leverage its position as a major troop-contributing country to prioritize peacekeeping.
- India-Centric Policies
- Pakistan’s default stance in the UNSC remains focused on anti-India initiatives.
What India Should Expect
- Strained Bilateral Relations:
- Historical tensions mean limited collaboration between the two nations in multilateral platforms like the UN.
- OIC nations with close ties to India often back Pakistan’s anti-India drafts in the UN.
- Terrorism-Related Sanctions:
- Pakistan has consistently sought to shift the “terrorist state” label to India.
- Its attempts to list Indian nationals under UNSC Resolution 1267 sanctions have been rejected repeatedly, thanks to support from the U.S. and allies.
The Kashmir Agenda
- Pakistan is likely to push for discussions on Jammu and Kashmir through backdoor diplomacy.
- China has historically supported Pakistan’s stance on this issue, but most permanent UNSC members (P-5) show limited interest.
- Pakistan might misuse international forums to equate Kashmir with other global issues like Palestine.
The Use of Islamophobia
- Pakistan has weaponized the term “Islamophobia” to dilute anti-terrorism efforts and target India.
- Attempts to introduce Islamophobia as a justification for terrorism in global counter-terrorism strategies were thwarted by India.
- However, the OIC has gained some success in advancing this agenda through the UN.
Challenges in Multilateralism
- Missed Opportunities for Cooperation:
- Both nations could collaborate on shared interests like climate change, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), peacekeeping, and debt relief for the Global South.
- Pakistan’s internal political instability and economic struggles hinder its ability to engage effectively in multilateralism.
- Bilateral Issues Taken to the UN:
- Pakistan recently raised the Indus Waters Treaty in the UNSC, a bilateral matter, drawing criticism for misuse of the platform.
