India downplays Pakistan’s recent UNSC appointments, calls it ‘ceremonial’

India views Pakistan’s role as “largely ceremonial” following Islamabad’s recent appointments as Chair of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) 1988 Sanctions Committee and Vice‑Chair of the Counter‑Terrorism Committee, stating that its responsibilities are limited to assisting the Chair with logistical and procedural preparations.

“As Chair of the UNSC 1988 Sanctions Committee, Pakistan’s role is primarily to convene and facilitate meetings and coordinate among members to implement the Committee’s mandate under Resolution 1988 (2011). All decisions are taken by consensus. As Vice-Chair of the Counter-Terrorism Committee, Pakistan’s role is largely ceremonial, limited to assisting the Chair with logistical and procedural preparations to ensure the Committee functions smoothly,” the Minister of State (MOS) Kirti Vardhan Singh informed Parliament in a written reply on Thursday.

Pakistan was elected as a non-permanent member of the UNSC for the 2025-26 term in early June. The development came nearly a month after India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’.

As part of its new term, Pakistan now holds key positions in two major UNSC subsidiary bodies. Additionally, Pakistan has also been appointed Co-Chair in two informal working groups of the UNSC.

The government also stated that the allocation of chairships and vice-chairships for Security Council subsidiary bodies is a “routine annual exercise, traditionally based on consensus among its members.”

“As per established practice, all chair and most vice-chair positions are offered to non-permanent members. In 2025, allocations were made for around 24 subsidiary bodies,” the reply mentioned.

It added that Pakistan is a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2025-26 term. “It has been appointed Chair of the UNSC 1988 (Taliban) Sanctions Committee for 2025, and Vice Chair of the UNSC 1373 Counter-Terrorism Committee for 2025, along with Russia and France.”

“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,” the government said in its response.

India