UNSC may meet soon to address rising India-Pakistan tensions: Greek envoy

The UN Security Council could meet “sooner rather than later” to discuss tensions between India and Pakistan. This would be an opportunity to express views and help defuse tensions, the current UNSC President said, expressing concern over the rising hostilities.

“Of course, if a request comes for a meeting, then... I think this meeting should take place because, as we said, maybe it’s also an opportunity to have views expressed, and this might help to defuse tensions a bit. We will see,” said Ambassador Evangelos Sekeris, Permanent Representative of Greece to the United Nations and President of the UN Security Council for May.

Sekeris briefed UN reporters on Thursday about the UNSC’s programme under Greece’s month-long presidency of the 15-nation UN body. He was asked about the rising tensions between India and Pakistan and whether he had received any request for a meeting or consultations on the issue in the Council.


Sekeris noted, “We express our condolences to the governments of India, Nepal, and the families of the victims. This is a matter of principle. We condemn terrorism in all its forms, wherever it happens. On the other hand, we are concerned about the mounting tensions in the region — two very big countries. Of course, India is far bigger than Pakistan.”

He pointed out that both countries are much larger than Greece. “So, the size and volume are of a different nature. We also join calls for de-escalation and dialogue so that the situation does not spiral out of control.”

Earlier this week, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said he had a “good conversation” with Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis and had “discussed the Pahalgam terrorist attack.”

India and Greece’s strategic partnership has gained momentum in recent years with joint exercises between the two militaries and Greece serving as one of the nodal points for IMEEC.

Meanwhile, U.S. Vice-President JD Vance said on Thursday that India’s response to last week’s terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam should be measured to avoid triggering a “wider regional conflict.” Speaking in an interview with Fox News, Vance also emphasised that Pakistan must cooperate with India in addressing the threat of extremism.