India gears up as Pak may raise J&K at UN

India is gearing up with its response to counter Pakistan in case the latter steps up its diplomatic efforts, particularly on Kashmir issue, at the United Nations. Pakistan, which holds the Chair of the UN Security Council for the month of July, is preparing two signature events during its presidency.

- Shashank Mattoo

The first is a high level open debate set to be held this week and chaired by Pakistan's Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar. While the debate is nominally focused on promoting the peaceful settlement of international disputes, HT has learnt that Islamabad is likely to bring up the Kashmir issue during the open debate. It is understood that India will also prepare to deliver a statement on Kashmir during the debate.

"It is time for the Kashmir dispute to be addressed. And I would say, this is not solely Pakistan's responsibility — we are here temporarily, serving a two-year term as a non-permanent member," said Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the UN, in a press conference on July 1.

"It is incumbent upon the Council-especially the permanent members to take concrete steps to ensure the implementation of their own resolutions," he said.