Hindi English Translation || Editorial || Not strong enough: On Pahalgam terror attack and the UNSC statement

Not strong enough: On Pahalgam terror attack and the UNSC statement

The UNSC Statement on Pahalgam attack appears watered down

The UN Security Council’s statement on Friday (April 25, 2025) condemning (निंदा करना) “in the strongest terms” the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, was necessary, but inadequate. According to the statement, which expressed condolences (शोक संवेदना, दुख प्रकट करना) to India, and to Nepal which lost one citizen, the members of the Security Council, that include Pakistan as an elected, non-permanent member this year, “reaffirmed (पुनः पुष्टि करना) that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security”. The statement also spoke of the need to bring the perpetrators (अपराधी, दोषी) and their sponsors to justice. However, the UNSC did not name The Resistance Front (TRF) that initially claimed responsibility for the attack, and did not refer to the group’s linkages to a UNSC-designated terror outfit, the LeT. Nor did it expressly speak of cooperation with the Government of India, as it had in the past. Finally, the statement made no mention of the terrorists’ intent to target non-Muslims — an abhorrent (घृणित, अत्यंत नापसंद) act aimed at instigating (उकसाना, भड़काना) communal tensions. A comparison with previous such statements would make it clear that the language was “watered down” given that Pakistan is a member of the Council (2025-26), and had China’s support. China has in the past sought to veto statements critical of Pakistan. It is also disappointing that the statement, which was negotiated by France’s envoy (दूत, प्रतिनिधि), the current UNSC President, did not bring stronger inputs from others on the Council including the U.S., Russia and the U.K.

As the government and security forces discuss counter-terror operations within Jammu and Kashmir to apprehend (गिरफ्तार करना, पकड़ना) the terrorists and possible military options across the border, India’s next option may be to bring a more strongly worded statement to the UN General Assembly, as various countries have done in the Ukraine and Gaza conflicts. The government would no doubt be preparing to have those terrorists it has identified from the attack and the TRF itself, designated by the UNSC, much the same way as it was able to bring the designation of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar as a terrorist after the Pulwama attack. In addition, India could build its case at the Financial Action Task Force, which put Pakistan on a “greylist” from 2012-15 and 2018-22, and revive its plans to pass a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism at the United Nations. On the bilateral front, expecting assistance from Pakistan has been a dead-end in the past, despite its promises after Mumbai (2008), Pathankot (2016), and Pulwama(2019). Given the state of bilateral relations and the lack of diplomatic engagement, this is even less likely. Only a multi-pronged (Having several aspects or approaches) effort on the global stage, and the patience it showed with the extradition (प्रत्यर्पण) of Tahawwur Rana from the U.S., will ensure that India is able to follow all the threads in bringing those responsible for this brutal (क्रूर, निर्दयी) attack to justice and establish a durable (टिकाऊ, मजबूत) peace.

Courtesy: The Hindu

Important Word List With Meaning

1.Condemn (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - निंदा करना
English Meaning - Express complete disapproval of; censure; sentence someone to a particular punishment, especially death.

2.Condolence (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - शोक संवेदना, दुख प्रकट करना
English Meaning - An expression of sympathy for someone's loss.

3.Reaffirm (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - पुनः पुष्टि करना
English Meaning - State again strongly or publicly.

4.Perpetrator (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - अपराधी, दोषी
English Meaning - A person who carries out a harmful, illegal, or immoral act.

5.Abhorrent (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - घृणित, अत्यंत नापसंद
English Meaning - Inspiring disgust and loathing; repugnant.

6.Instigate (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - उकसाना, भड़काना
English Meaning - Bring about or initiate (something, typically an action or event).

7.Apprehend (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - गिरफ्तार करना, पकड़ना
English Meaning - Arrest (someone) for a crime; understand or perceive.

8.Durable (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - टिकाऊ, मजबूत
English Meaning - Able to withstand wear, pressure, or damage; lasting.

9.Brutal (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - क्रूर, निर्दयी
English Meaning - Savagely violent; cruel and insensitive.

10.Extradition (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - प्रत्यर्पण
English Meaning - The action of extraditing a person accused or convicted of a crime.

11.Envoy (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - दूत, प्रतिनिधि
English Meaning - A messenger or representative, especially one on a diplomatic mission.

12.Multi Pronged (Adjective)

English Meaning - Having several aspects or approaches.