Kartarpur overreach a self-goal by Pakistan at UNSC?

NEW DELHI: For those wondering why the latest attempt by China and Pakistan to seek a UNSC meeting fizzled out in no time, an interesting back story is now emerging. The day Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi wrote to the UNSC president (December 12), alleging a reign of terror in Kashmir and escalation of tensions in South Asia, the UN also adopted a resolution on inter-religious dialogue and peace welcoming the Kartarpur Corridor as a landmark initiative.

This, as TOI has learnt, became an important talking point among the UNSC member-states as the resolution was piloted by none other than Pakistan, along with three other countries.

Many of these countries saw the mention of the Kartarpur initiative and the language used as incompatible with Qureshi’s letter and felt the issue raised by Pakistan, and China of course, when it sought a meeting was best addressed bilaterally.


China had sought a meeting of the Security Council on December 17, at Pakistan’s behest, to discuss the Kashmir situation but backed off because of a lack of support from other P-5 nations. A French diplomatic source was quoted as having said then that the Kashmir issue had to be treated bilaterally. Other western and even Russian diplomats shared the same view.

At least two UN diplomats, who were approached for support by Pakistan, told TOI the UNGA resolution made it difficult for Islamabad to sell the narrative that it was important for the UNSC to discuss the issue at a time India and Pakistan were trying to to ensure a peaceful neighbourhood.

“The Kartarpur initiative was looked at very favourably by all and there indeed was a feeling that this was inconsistent with the theory that there had been a precipitous decline in the situation at the border,’’ said one of the two diplomats.

Claiming escalation of “already tense’’ environment in South Asia, Qureshi had said in his letter that India had stepped up unprovoked and deliberate ceasefire violations on the LoC and was taking steps that were “posing serious risks for regional peace and security’’. He had also spoken about Pakistan’s concerns that India may resort to a “false flag’’ attack to divert world attention.