India launched a sharp diplomatic offensive against Pakistan at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), as Permanent Representative Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish condemned Islamabad for fostering terrorism and mishandling its economy. Speaking during a high-level UNSC debate on peace and multilateralism, Harish directly hit out at Pakistan’s record, calling it a nation "steeped in fanaticism and terrorism" and a "serial borrower from the IMF."
Responding to Pakistan's earlier remarks at the UNSC, Harish said, “The Indian subcontinent offers a stark contrast in terms of progress, prosperity, and development models. On one hand, there is India – a mature democracy, a surging economy, and an inclusive society. On the other, Pakistan – steeped in fanaticism and terrorism, and a serial borrower from the IMF.”
He criticized Pakistan for making moral remarks while violating international norms. “It ill behoves a member of the Council to offer homilies while indulging in practices that are unacceptable to the international community,” he said.
Harish referred to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 civilians were killed, and emphasized the importance of accountability in terror cases. He added, “There should also be a serious cost to states who violate the spirit of good neighbourliness and international relations by fomenting cross-border terrorism.”
Highlighting India’s measured military response, Harish stated, “India launched Operation Sindoor targeting terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). The action was focused, measured, and non-escalatory. Hostilities ceased after the primary objectives were achieved, at the direct request of Pakistan.”
Operation Sindoor was carried out on May 7, with cross-border firing reported during the action. The ceasefire came into effect on May 10, with India clarifying that it was agreed to at Pakistan’s request, following public statements by US President Donald Trump claiming to mediate peace between the two countries.
Touching on the changing face of modern conflicts, Harish warned of non-state actors used as proxies, cross-border arms trafficking, radical ideologies, and digital propaganda. He noted that as the world marks 80 years of the UN, it is important to assess how far the UN Charter’s vision of peace and multilateralism has been fulfilled.
He reiterated India’s commitment to peace, adding, “India is a responsible actor and a founding member of the United Nations. We remain actively engaged with partners in building a peaceful, just and equitable world.”
Harish reminded the UNSC of India’s global peacekeeping contributions, stating, “India is the largest cumulative contributor to UN peacekeeping and a pioneer in promoting women in peace operations.”
He concluded by expressing concern over the credibility of the UN system, remarking, “There are growing doubts about the multilateral system, especially the United Nations. Serious question marks remain over the representativeness of the UN Security Council.”
