By Ashok Kumar
On May 29, when Indian delegation was in US, Pakistan was named as vice-chair of the UN Security Council’s counter-terrorism committee despite the country’s track record of sponsoring terrorism.
Close on the heels of Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 tourists were killed, and that India had blamed Pakistan for the attack, Pakistan has been awarded with a position of Vice-chair in the UN Security Council’s counter-terrorism committee despite the country’s track record of sponsoring terrorism. The new position has been achieved ,thanks to US/ Donald Trump.
Pakistan, the so-called front-line ally in the US-led Global War on Terror, never buried its fangs. It played both sides. It gave shelter to Osama bin Laden. It protected the Taliban. It nourished Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)—a group originally built with the support of Osama bin Laden and Abdullah Azzam—under the pretext of strategic necessity. And all the while, it looked Washington in the eye and called itself a partner in peace.
How did nuclear powered Pakistan make it to this committee? How will it impact India’s anti-terror campaign? Always in denial mode, Pakistan has always figured in cross-border skirmishes with India and terrorism activities. Convicted Tahavur Rana, the master mind of 2018 Mumbai attack and killings is already in Indian custody and another David Headly is still in US custody and has been to India and convicted. They all belonged to Pakistan. The recent India and Pakistan crisis was the most significant between the two nuclear-armed adversaries in several decades. Last month, India dispatched multi-party delegations to various foreign capitals, including all current and upcoming members of the UNSC, in an attempt to rally support for its war against terror emanating from Pakistan.
Pakistan’s appointment to key counter-terrorism bodies at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) — chair of the sanctions committee against Taliban, vice-chair of counter-terrorism panel formed after 9/11, and a working group on the UN sanctions regime — has left many red faces in New Delhi.
According to sources, there is a “sense of disquiet” and “unease” in South Block, since this goes contrary to India’s efforts to portray Pakistan as the epicenter of terrorism — just over a month after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which was followed by Operation Sindoor that led to four days of military confrontation between India and Pakistan.
An Indian delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor visited New York last month, and again in Washington DC for engagements with the US Congress, think tanks and media. Sources said Pakistan was appointed to these key panels on May 29, but the matter was made public in the last couple of days, while the Indian teams were touring these countries.
