TIL Desk/World/United Nations/ Despite intense lobbying, Pakistan has been dealt a diplomatic setback with the UN Security Council declining to hold a formal session on Kashmir with its participation, and instead scheduling a closed-door consultation on “India/Pakistan” at China”s insistence on Friday.
Pakistan had asked for a full-fledged meeting of the Council at which it could speak on New Delhi revoking Articles 370 and 35A of the Indian Constitution that gave Jammu and Kashmir special status and about alleged human rights abuses in the region.
The format of the Council meeting as a closed-door consultation would preclude non-members participating and the proceedings would be secret, without official written records or access to the media or being broadcast. It will not be held in the ornate Council chamber either, but will take place in a side room away from public glare.
The UN announced on Thursday that the closed consultations will be on “India/Pakistan” avoiding mention of Kashmir, and will take place on Friday. It will be presided over by Poland”s Permanent Representative Joanna Wronecka, who holds the Council”s rotating presidency for this month.
