“There are no permanent friends or permanent enemies in international relations: there are, but, only permanent interests.” – Lord Palmerston, British Statesman
The UNSC Hotseat
Friendships last longer than blood relationships, but only some of them- not all. Lord Palmerston expresses himself in thoughtful words, and it is not lost upon anyone in this world that interests are what drive, almost all of the international diplomatic relationships. And the bond between India and Pakistan absolutely, yet subtly stands true to the fact, that not all friendships last long. Although, one knows that Pakistan has rarely given a chance to India to ‘up’ the bilateral relationship. The same is frequently marred (by the Pakistani side) by cross-border terrorism, infiltration of foreign militias, drone-enabled drug, and antique smuggling, warranting human trafficking, practicing lone wolf and guerilla attacks, dastard, and inhumane killings of ex-servicemen, regulating cross-border deep-pocketed non-state actors; while also diplomatically, economically, socially, and radically attacking the very idea of – ‘India, that is Bharat’. In light of the same, Pakistan assuming the two-year term as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is, but a stupor. On the global stage, Pakistan is unapologetically synonymous with deep-state actors, non-state entities, and frequent tongue-forking on issues of terrorism, Kashmir, and Indian sovereignty.
The two-year term starts from January 2025, and is poised to last till January 2027. In the words of Ambassador Munir Akram, “We (Pakistan) enter the council at a time of great geopolitical turbulence, intense competition between the largest powers, raging wars in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and elsewhere and a sharply escalating and multi-dimensional arms race.” He further goes on to add, “as a responsible State-the fifth largest by population-Pakistan will play an active and constructive role, in accordance with the UN Charter, to halt wars, promote the pacific settlement of disputes and contain the negative impacts of great power rivalries, the arms race, new weapons, and domains of conflict as well as the spreading scourge of terrorism”, (courtesy-Associated Press of Pakistan). Indeed, a lengthy and a well-thought-out commitment. Emphasizing on the allegiance shown towards elimination of terrorism, Ambassador Munir has surely put the whole, “Pakistan State-Terrorists’ Organisations Nexus” in a fix.
Pakistan and Terrorism: A True Bonhomie
Analysing the situation from an Indian perspective, it remains to be seen what will Pakistan actually do, or how will it act further. And now, welcome China into the picture. It is a known fact that China is routinely supported by Pakistan in halting many of the UNSC resolutions, demanding terrorist status for dreaded extremists. The relationship between China and Pakistan has always been projected towards declining similar sincere proposals from the Indian side. Whether it is the case of designation of an individual as a ‘terrorist;’ or enabling international organisations to designate extremist organisations, as such; or whether it is the denial of acting ‘toughly’ and ‘roughly’ against dreaded militants-Pakistan in collusion with China, has always acted in favour of terrorism, and obviously, against Indian and global interests. Former High Commissioner of India to Pakistan, Sh. Ajay Bisaria’s book, “Anger Management: The Troubled Diplomatic Relationship between India and Pakistan,” aptly captures this jinxed bilateral alliance. Expanding on the various diplomatic, military, and economic tirades that Pakistan routinely blasts off at India, Sh. Bisaria forthrightly and correctly analyses the Pakistan reluctance in having better alliance matrix with India.
India, on her part, routinely urges (diplomatically) Pakistan to stop employing its cross-border tactics. But of course, that does not happen and that does not stop Pakistan in furthering its agenda of destabilizing India, particularly, Kashmir. A number of former Presidents of the USA (United States of America) as well, on their parts, time and again, halted foreign funding to Pakistan, solely aimed at countering terrorism. But, to no avail. Can the world or the global victims of terrorism, expect a State like Pakistan to uphold the values of the Security Council? Can the world expect truest sense of integrity, honesty, up-righteousness, and probity required to bring terrorists to their justifiable end, from Pakistan? Can the UNSC, while giving a seat to Pakistan in its coveted Hall, actually conform to Pakistan’s upholding of the basic tents of humanity, world security, global peace and singular intent in uprooting radicalization and extremism from the face of Earth? Can Pakistan boldly declare the same as scum of the earth, as a threat to the mankind, and a challenge to global security and peace? In my humble opinion, that is never going to happens, even in infinite eons of time.
India Amidst Growing China-Pakistan Congeniality: Evolving Security Dynamics
The Pakistani assumption of the seat, at the UNSC horse table comes with a number of challenges, contradictions, dilemmas, and conundrums. More so, in the light of her subtle (yet, clearly visible) support to radicals and extremists, heightened back-channel talks with China (another ‘frenemie’ of India); and collaboration with non-state entities, solely focused on uprooting the ‘aman’ and ‘shanti’ of the South-Asian geographical matrix. If the same actions continue to be taken even after promising a tough action-plan against terrorism; then, it will become crystal clear as to how the diplomatic order will transform. Not for any human good, for sure. Today’s status quo of the multilateral global order is far from appreciable or normal. Consistent efforts are required to transform it completely, for greater good. China’s growing coziness with Syrian rebels, Pakistan’s blindfolded trust on Chinese maneuvers in Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and elsewhere, China-Pakistan affability in light of rising extremism in the world, the near inability of both the nations in addressing the threat of terrorism for world security, China’s inroads into the Russian House, as well as strong feelings of hostility possessed by both the nations towards peace-loving India- are some of the paradigms that will definitely shape the UNSC order in the coming time. The recent hostile takeover of the Afghan soil by Taliban and its radical diktats, have only compounded the problem. The South- Asian region in particular, the rise of pirate warfare on high seas, the capture of majority of African nations by extremists, dilemmatic situations existing in Gulf and Middle East, ongoing wars in Eurasian arena, and the extremist threats looming over the American continent; are certain challenges in the world order. Navigating through these challenges is not going to be an easy one.
The chaotic, unplanned, and mismanaged withdrawal of the US Forces from the Afghan soil-was probably the worst (but, expected) shake-up the region has witnessed. The spillover of disturbed circumstances from Afghan and Pakistani soil, into the Indian mainland, is a serious consequence of the existing factual matrix. Terrorism, extremism, radicalization, militancy, insurgency, rise of non-state actors, belligerency, threat to the peaceful Kashmir region, collaboration of extremists’ elements with the new Syrian regime or Hamas insurgents-are clear indicators of future threats. The issue of close nexus between golden crescent, drug smuggling network, arms smuggling syndicates, human trafficking, creation of deep-pocketed non-state actors, and the earnings gained from hawala as well as money laundering transactions-channelized into the training of radicals, foreign militants, hardcore terrorists, et. al; will definitely force Pakistan to take a tough stance against terrorism. More so, now because of its two-year term at the UNSC has just started. Will Pakistan be able to do that? Most probably, no. But then again, only time will tell.
Way Forward
It remains to be seen as to how Pakistan will respond to this new responsibility. The recent trade wars, military barbs, and diplomatically low tirades going on between Afghanistan and Pakistan tell a sorry tale. It is a known fact that Pakistan has a huge hand behind Taliban’s rise to power, has repeatedly instigated and trained (reportedly, the ISI is closely hands-in-glove with Taliban and other extremist organisation) extremist components against India, aided guerilla warfare, lone-wolf attacks, cross-border infiltration in India, and has also almost every time, stood against peace in the region. Recently, the Pakistani Army Chief General Munir has gone against his Taliban counterparts in Afghanistan and declared Pakistan’s tough stance against terrorism. It can be a simple lip service as well, as has happened in the past. But mere lip services will not suffice now, since Pakistan’s territory is under fire and its favorite brother, “Taliban in Afghanistan” has stopped listening to its diktats. Sincere efforts, on Pakistan’s side need to be done and seen, both, to normalize relationship with India and stay true to the fundamental tenets of the UNSC. How soon will it happen, needs to be seen. India has been, for an infinite number of years, telling Pakistan and warning it against the ill-effects of siding with Taliban and terrorists’ organisations. Well, I hope, now at least, Pakistan heeds to the advice instead of cajoling with radical elements, any more. What really happens, needs to be seen. Sometimes, uncertain future does hold, miraculous surprises. Jai Hind.
