Amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, the United Nations Security Council held a closed-door session on Monday, with its President Evangelos Sekeris describing it as a "productive meeting" aimed at promoting de-escalation. “The Security Council is always helpful in such efforts,” Sekeris said after the session, emphasizing that it is the Council’s responsibility to intervene in such situations.

The confidential consultation was requested by Pakistan’s Permanent Representative Asim Iftikhar Ahmad and, under UN procedures, excluded non-member states—effectively shutting out India. Pakistan, currently serving as an elected member of the Council, attended the meeting.

Briefing reporters outside, Assistant Secretary-General Mohamed Khaled Khiari stated, “All want de-escalation,” echoing the global concerns over rising instability. Russia’s Deputy Permanent Representative Anna Evstigneeva also remarked, “We hope for de-escalation.”

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had earlier described the situation as nearing a “boiling point” and urged both nations to “step back from the brink.” He strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam last month that claimed 26 lives, reportedly carried out by The Resistance Front, a Lashkar-e-Taiba affiliate. “I understand the raw feelings following the awful terror attack,” Guterres said.

Speaking after the meeting, Ambassador Ahmad voiced Pakistan's dual stance of defiance and dialogue. “We are fully prepared to defend our sovereignty,” he stated, while also saying, “We reiterate our commitment to peaceful cooperative relations with all our neighbours, including India, [and] we remain open to dialogue.”