[UNSC] Maintaining Bilaterality of the Kashmir Conflict

Written by RT

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (Source: Presidential Press and Information Office)

"We are so near that if ever you call us from the mountain tops we will appear at your side." 

Leader of the Soviet Union, Nikita Khrushchev on his visit to India. 

This famous quote marks the amicable ties between Russia and India rooted in history and geographical proximity. Russia stands by India in the UNSC debates on the Kashmir Conflict, offering beneficial solutions that target the escalation of the conflict whilst maintaining its bilaterality.

The United Nations Security Council has gathered for Day 2 of debates, which are more smooth-flowing on the surface. However, as council debates unfold, we see the troubled waters beneath the surface. The Delegates of Russia and France appear to be leading the council in the right direction, with most of the council agreeing that the Kashmir Conflict is indeed a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan. 

In objection, the Delegate of China pointed out that the Kashmir Conflict is not a bilateral issue due to China’s involvement in the conflict based on the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor cutting through the conflict zones. However, acknowledging the importance of cooperation and negotiations to achieve peace, the Delegate of Russia thus convinced China to be open to bilateral negotiations with India in order to smooth out the differences. This eased the tensions between China and India in council, opening China’s heart and mind to the draft resolution to be introduced. It is not to be said that China will no longer rebut the draft resolution but it seems that the negotiating power of Russia changed the direction and flow of debate. 

Call for Resolution

The UNSC council’s efficiency is also to be applauded with Russia introducing a draft resolution 3 hours before the adjournment of debate. With five articles, the draft resolution focuses on strengthening the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP), touching on the ceasefires between India and Pakistan. As the Kashmir Conflict is a bilateral issue, tiered enforcement measures, reducing the United Nations’ (UN) intervention, has been implemented in the draft resolution in order to protect the sovereignty of the countries in question.

Conflict upon Conflict

The Delegate of China brought up his concern that Pakistan may not be amenable to the “Creation of United Nations Commission of Inquiry in India and Pakistan (UNCIIP)”, which aims to look out for “potential human right abuse issues” in Kashmir. 

All of a sudden, the temperature in the “room” shot right up as Norway launched a verbal attack on India and Pakistan, describing them as “immature” and analogising them as “five-year-olds”. The exact quote is “If you ask 2 five-year-olds to listen to you, there is little chance that they will listen to you.” Clearly, the Delegate of Norway strongly disapproves of the draft resolution as he believes that the Kashmir Conflict has spiralled out of hand such that UN intervention is necessary, and that monitoring and observation have done no good.

India rightfully took offence to and called out the Delegate of Norway’s statement, mentioning that he is pleased with Russia’s draft resolution. He believes that the resolution allows for India and Pakistan’s sovereignty. Furthermore, China's claim that the UN did not have the right to intervene was rebutted as India mentioned that there was a call to the UN for help. 

Closed Debate

Immediately after this, a motion for closed debate was called, with another motion to divide the question. All we can do is hope for the best behind these virtual walls. Until then, Russia, wholeheartedly agreeing with India, believes that the Kashmir Conflict should remain as a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan. All resolutions should be optional and decided by the two countries in conflict, surrounding the idea of precautionary and observatory measures, rather than intrusive and sovereignty-breaching actions. 

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