India faces ‘diplomatic isolation’ in region

FM Qureshi rejects impression Islamabad gave walkover to Delhi at UNSC

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Friday said India was facing diplomatic isolation and at the verge of bankruptcy in the wake of Covid-19.

Presenting a policy statement in the Senate, he said India had strained its relations with all regional countries including China and Nepal.

“India could resort to a false flag operation against Pakistan in the current situation,” he added.

However, he warned that Pakistan would response immediately and befittingly to any act of aggression.

Qureshi said the entire nation was united for the security, sovereignty and dignity of the country.

He rejected the impression that Pakistan had given a walkover to India at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

The United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday elected four countries — India, Norway, Mexico, and Ireland — as non-permanent members in the 15-member UNSC.

India received 184 votes out of 193, suggesting an overwhelming support even from the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC).

“Pakistan did not abstain but voted against the non-permanent membership of India for the unconstitutional steps it took in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir last year on August 5,” Qureshi said.

“These steps were in complete violation of the UN Charter and international norms.”

The minister said Pakistan was focused on exposing India’s sinister designs at a global level.

He explained that there was a process for becoming a non-permanent member of the UNSC.

He pointed out that the membership was given on rotational basis for a period of two years.

“Pakistan and India have each held this seat for seven times. India has been campaigning to become a non-permanent member of the Security Council since 2013.”



Qureshi said the development would not change the stance of the United Nations on the Kashmir dispute.

“The UN is stuck to its principled stance on Kashmir and considers it a disputed territory and there are also UNSC resolutions on the lingering dispute.”

The minister further said Pakistan had already started its campaign to become a non-permanent member of the UNSC in 2025-26.

Pakistan has refused to congratulate India on its election as a non-permanent member of the UNSC for a two-year term starting from January next year.

Islamabad has raised questions on the credentials of India, calling it out as a country involved in gross human rights violations, and its disregard for UN resolutions on the Kashmir dispute.

“We congratulate Ireland, Norway and Mexico on their election to the Council. The election of India, however, raises fundamental questions,” Foreign Office spokesperson Aisha Farooqui said on Thursday.

With input from APP