As Pakistan Shields Lashkar Proxy TRF, Jaishankar Questions UN’s Credibility | India News

Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. S Jaishankar on Friday criticized the credibility of the UN Security Council in a UNSC statement after Pakistan tried to block the naming of the Resistance Front (TRF), the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) proxy behind the Pahalgam terror attack. Jaishankar questioned the credibility of multilateralism and the United Nations.

Speaking at the 80th anniversary celebrations of the United Nations, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar underlined the challenges facing multilateralism, particularly highlighting the UN’s response to terrorism and the growing distress of the Global South amid ongoing global crises. “Few examples say more about the challenges facing the UN than its response to terrorism. What does it do to the credibility of multilateralism when a sitting Security Council member openly protects the organization that has claimed responsibility for barbaric terrorist attacks like Pahalgam?” Jaishankar noted the increasing failure of international institutions to hold perpetrators accountable.

He also questioned the sincerity of the global community in combating terrorism, saying: “How much more cynical can the world be if victims and perpetrators of terrorism are equated in the name of global strategy? When self-proclaimed terrorists are shielded from the sanctions process, what does this say about the sincerity of those involved?”

Jaishankar’s remarks came in the backdrop of the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, in which 26 tourists, including 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali national, were killed by Pakistan-backed terrorists. In response, the Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor in the early morning hours of May 7, targeting terror camps operated by Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) with precision strikes. India also successfully repelled Pakistan’s subsequent escalation and neutralized its air bases.

Turning the focus to broader global concerns, the Foreign Minister said the credibility of the UN was being tested not only on security issues but also in the field of development. “If the maintenance of international peace and security becomes a false pretense, the situation for development and socio-economic progress will be even more serious,” he said.

Highlighting the growing economic and political challenges facing developing countries, Jaishankar added: “The SDG Agenda 2030 slowdown is an important metric to measure the Global South’s distress. Whether it is trade measures, supply chain dependency or political dominance, there is much more to it.”

Despite his critical observations, Jaishankar struck an optimistic tone and called on member states to renew their commitment to multilateralism and collective action. “Yet we cannot give up hope on such an important anniversary. No matter how difficult, the commitment to multilateralism must remain strong. No matter how imperfect, the United Nations must be supported in this time of crisis. Our faith in international cooperation must be reiterated and truly renewed,” he said.

Jaishankar’s remarks at the event reflected India’s resolute stance on counter-terrorism, its defense of the Global South and its enduring belief in reforms and the importance of the United Nations in finding solutions to contemporary global challenges. (with ANI entries)