China pushes for another discussion on J&K at UNSC

NEW DELHI: Beijing is pushing for yet another discussion on Jammu & Kashmir in the UN Security Council on Tuesday, just days before India and China are scheduled to hold the latest round of boundary talks and amid protests over anti-citizenship act.

On August 16, China tried to bring up J&K in the UNSC, but India’s allies refused to allow a public discussion or even a public statement.

Chinese foreign minister and state counsellor Wang Yi will be in India to hold boundary talks with NSA Ajit Doval this week.


The discussion is intended to be held under a provision that does not require voting, but involves flagging the issue. India is likely to explain its position to other members of the UNSC that would obviate the necessity for such a discussion. India has already undertaken an intensive diplomatic outreach with partners and allies, according to sources.

The Chinese request comes after Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi wrote a letter to the president of the UNSC, US Ambassador Kelly Craft, over the weekend, alleging Delhi was making preparations to “dismember” Islamabad.

He also alleged that India had partially removed fences along five sectors of the LOC. Qureshi suggested India may mount a “false flag” operation, and asked the UNSC to strengthen United Nations Military Observer Group In India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP), which monitors the LOC, but only on the Pakistani side, since India has refused access for several years now.

India has been reaching out to Washington as the US ambassador is the president of the UNSC. France is certain to be on India’s side. The UK felt wronged during the August 16 discussion, when it appeared it had dithered in supporting India. But with Boris Johnson having a stronger mandate, India hopes that it can count on Whitehall. Germany and Poland as non-permanent members may support India, too. However, the government’s decision to change the citizenship act and subsequent protests may have eroded India’s support and image internationally.

China is opposed to India’s decision to reorganise the erstwhile state of J&K into two Union Territories. China’s repeated attempts to go against India at the UNSC, in tandem with its all-weather ally Pakistan, remains a cause for friction between New Delhi and Beijing.

In October, Indian and Chinese leaders met for the second informal summit, held at the Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram. The idea was perhaps not to achieve any breakthrough in the relationship but to improve communication and understanding between Modi and Xi Jinping. Later however, India felt compelled to walk out of RCEP negotiations as China refused to concede any of India’s demands.