India Downplays Pakistan's UNSC Role, Calls It 'Ceremonial' With No Real Influence

Last Updated:July 31, 2025, 23:09 IST

MoS for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said that the allocation of chair and vice-chair positions in UNSC subsidiary bodies is a routine and annual exercise

Pakistan was elected a non-permanent member of the UNSC in early June, soon after India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’. (AP file photo)

India on Thursday downplayed Pakistan’s appointments to key United Nations Security Council (UNSC) subsidiary bodies, calling the roles as “largely ceremonial" with no real decision-making power.

In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said that the allocation of chair and vice-chair positions in UNSC subsidiary bodies is a routine, annual exercise, traditionally based on consensus among members.

“Pakistan’s role is largely ceremonial, limited to assisting the Chair with logistical and procedural preparations to ensure the Committee functions smoothly," Singh said.

The MoS further added that, as per established practice, all chairships and most vice-chair roles are offered to non-permanent members. In 2025, around 24 such positions were allocated.

Pakistan, which is a non-permanent member of the UNSC for the 2025–26 term, was appointed Chair of the UNSC 1988 (Taliban) Sanctions Committee and Vice-Chair of the UNSC 1373 Counter-Terrorism Committee, alongside Russia and France.

Singh said Pakistan’s role as Chair of the Sanctions Committee is primarily to convene and facilitate meetings and coordinate among members to implement the committee’s mandate under Resolution 1988 (2011).

He stressed that all decisions are made by consensus, meaning no single member can unilaterally influence the committee’s agenda or outcomes.

The minister further noted that these positions exist to support the implementation of mandates set by relevant UNSC resolutions. Since decisions in these subsidiary bodies require consensus, no individual member wields independent control over the agenda or decisions.

“Positions within the subsidiary bodies of the Security Council are primarily intended to support the implementation of mandates set out in relevant UNSC resolutions. As decisions in these bodies are taken by consensus, no individual member can unilaterally influence the agenda or contents," he added.

Pakistan was elected a non-permanent member of the UNSC in early June, soon after India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’. Along with its roles in the sanctions and counter-terrorism committees, Pakistan was also named co-chair of two informal working groups within the Security Council.

(With inputs from agencies)

News world India Downplays Pakistan's UNSC Role, Calls It 'Ceremonial' With No Real Influence

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