China Helps Pakistan Tone Down UNSC Statement on Pahalgam Attack
UNSC Condemns Pahalgam Attack, but Statement Softer Than Pulwama
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) condemned the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India, but the statement released by the council was noticeably less strong than the one issued after the 2019 Pulwama attack. Reports suggest that Pakistan, a non-permanent member of the UNSC, worked with China to soften the language.
Pakistan’s Role and China’s Support
Although Pakistan co-signed the UNSC statement, it reportedly sought China’s help to reduce the focus on India. The Times of India reports that Pakistan wanted to avoid language that would give India more influence over the investigation. Pakistan’s own statement on the attack expressed only “concern” and did not explicitly condemn the violence that killed 26 civilians in Kashmir.
Key Differences in the Statements
The UNSC statement called for international cooperation to bring the attackers to justice. However, a key difference from the 2019 Pulwama attack statement is the wording regarding cooperation with authorities. During the Pulwama attack, the UNSC urged international actors to work with the “Government of India.” This time, the call was to work with “all the relevant authorities,” a less specific and potentially less direct call to action.
Implications and Background
Pakistan has called for an independent body to investigate the Pahalgam attack, and diluting the UNSC statement could be a tactic to ensure that India doesn’t have undue influence over the process. This incident comes at a time when India and China are trying to improve relations. Beijing’s support for Pakistan on this issue could be a concern for New Delhi.
