What happened?
Following the 22 April terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians, India initiated diplomatic outreach to non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held telephonic conversations on Tuesday and Wednesday with counterparts from 8 non-permanent members: Algeria, Denmark, Greece, Guyana, Panama, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, and Somalia. He conveyed India’s resolve to bring the perpetrators to justice. India has blamed Pakistan, citing cross-border links and the claim of responsibility by The Resistance Front (TRF), allegedly linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT); Pakistan denies involvement. Jaishankar also discussed the attack with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, stressing the need for accountability. This outreach occurred after India reportedly faced challenges negotiating the phrasing of an earlier UNSC statement condemning the attack on 25 April.
Why it matters to India
India’s diplomatic engagement with UNSC non-permanent members is significant as it seeks to build international consensus and pressure for accountability following the Pahalgam attack, particularly given Pakistan is also a non-permanent member for 2025-26. The outreach aims to highlight the cross-border nature of the terrorism India faces and garner support for its stance that perpetrators, planners, and backers must face justice. It reinforces India’s determination to respond decisively, as stated by Prime Minister Modi, who has asserted that the armed forces have operational freedom. This diplomatic offensive complements India’s security considerations as it mulls response options and seeks to isolate those it holds responsible for the attack.