New Delhi/United Nations: The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is likely to convene an urgent meeting “sooner rather than later” to address the rapidly escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, the current UNSC President confirmed, voicing deep concern over the deteriorating regional situation following the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that left 26 people dead, including several tourists.
In a carefully worded statement on Friday, UNSC President Evangelos Sekeris expressed condolences to the victims’ families and the governments of India and Nepal, reaffirming the global body’s zero-tolerance stance on terrorism.
“We condemn terrorism in all its forms, wherever it happens,” Sekeris said, adding, “We are concerned about the mounting tensions in the region — two very big countries. Of course, India is far bigger than Pakistan.”
UNSC May Facilitate Dialogue, Calls for De-escalation
Sekeris stated that a UNSC meeting could serve as a platform for international actors to express their views and support peaceful dialogue between the two nuclear-armed nations.
“This is an opportunity to help defuse tensions. We join calls for de-escalation and dialogue so that the situation does not spiral out of control,” he noted.
While the UN has historically taken a cautious approach to India-Pakistan conflicts — often deferring to bilateral diplomacy — the scale and brutality of the recent attack in Pahalgam has intensified pressure on global leaders to intervene diplomatically.
India-Greece Partnership in Focus
The UNSC President’s comments come amid increasing strategic cooperation between India and Greece, with both nations aligning on security, maritime trade, and counterterrorism efforts. Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis spoke to India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar earlier this week, expressing solidarity and discussing the implications of the Pahalgam attack.
Jaishankar termed the exchange a “good conversation” and praised Greece’s support in condemning terrorism.
India and Greece, through joint military exercises and diplomatic engagements, have cemented a strategic partnership in recent years, especially in the context of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC), where Greece serves as a critical logistical node.
US Reacts: Vance Urges Caution, Pressures Pakistan
On the international front, US Vice-President JD Vance issued a measured statement urging India to ensure its response does not provoke a larger regional conflict, while simultaneously calling on Pakistan to cooperate in tackling extremism.
“India’s response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack should be strong but measured,” Vance told Fox News, adding that “Pakistan must demonstrate its commitment to regional stability by cracking down on terror outfits operating from its soil.”
The United States’ response reflects the delicate balance Washington must maintain in its diplomatic ties with both countries, particularly as it navigates rising strategic dependencies on India in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Bigger Picture: Tensions Escalating at LoC
In addition to the terror attack, tensions have worsened due to ongoing ceasefire violations by Pakistani forces along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir. Reports confirm unprovoked shelling has continued for over a week, prompting India to deploy additional troops and surveillance in sensitive sectors like Kupwara and Poonch.
Military officials in New Delhi have warned that further provocations may lead to a firm retaliatory strike, especially in light of intelligence inputs suggesting renewed infiltration attempts by Pakistani-backed terror groups.
Strategic Stakes for the Region
Experts argue that while the immediate threat lies in further escalation, the broader implications concern the stability of South Asia, global supply chain corridors, and India’s growing diplomatic clout.
“What we’re witnessing is a shift where India is no longer just defending — it’s proactively reshaping the narrative around cross-border terrorism,” said Dr. Sanjay Dutta, a strategic affairs analyst based in New Delhi.
He added that India’s firm trade ban on Pakistan, digital crackdown, and diplomatic outreach reflect a calibrated but assertive posture designed to isolate Islamabad on the global stage.
World Watching as UNSC Prepares for Crucial Meeting
As the UNSC prepares for potential deliberations, all eyes are on the diplomatic maneuvering between global powers. For India, this is a moment to galvanize international support against terrorism, while for Pakistan, it may be an opportunity to recalibrate its stance before facing broader economic and diplomatic isolation.
The coming days will determine whether the situation moves toward dialogue or confrontation, but one thing is clear: the world is watching South Asia with increasing urgency.
