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United Nations

Pakistan Objects to Omission of Kashmir from UN Dispute List

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Pakistan's acting envoy to the UN, Amjad Hussain B Sial, expressed concern that the country's dispute with India over Kashmir was not mentioned in a list of unresolved long-running situations presented by the UK's top diplomat to the General Assembly. Sial stated that the omission was "inadvertent" and that Kashmir is one of the oldest disputes on the agenda of the Security Council. This development comes as the UK holds the presidency of the Security Council this month.

Key Takeaways:

  • Pakistan has objected to the exclusion of Jammu and Kashmir from a list of disputes under the observation of the Security Council.
  • The UK's top diplomat, Mark Lyall Grant, presented a list of unresolved long-running situations that excluded Kashmir.
  • Pakistan has been asking the UN to intervene in the Kashmir issue, but India has maintained that it must be resolved bilaterally.
  • The UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, has stated that the UN will not intervene in Kashmir until requested by both parties.
  • The UK continues to support India's bid for permanent membership on the Security Council.
  • The UK has also expressed support for Brazil, Germany, and Japan to join the Security Council as permanent members.
  • Philip Parham, the UK's deputy envoy, suggested an "intermediate model" of reform to create new seats with a longer mandate than the present two-year term.

Statistics:

  • The UK presidency of the Security Council will last for this month.
  • India and Pakistan have been neighbors for an unspecified period.
  • The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has stated that the UN normally takes the initiative to mediate in conflicts when requested by both parties concerned.
  • 2011 will mark the year when Japan leaves the Security Council.
  • Brazil will serve on the Security Council for another year.

Sources:

  • "Pak objects to 'no mention' of Kashmir in UN list of disputes" by Betwa Sharma, PTI, November 15, 2010.
  • UN General Assembly speech by Mark Lyall Grant, UK's top diplomat.
  • UN General Assembly speech by Amjad Hussain B Sial, Pakistan's acting envoy to the UN.
  • Statement by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in October.
  • Speech by Philip Parham, UK's deputy envoy.

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