Washington, D.C. [US], June 5 (ANI):
Taranjit Singh Sandhu, former Indian Ambassador to the United States and a member of the all-party Indian parliamentary delegation currently visiting the U.S., has raised serious concerns about Pakistan’s credibility in chairing the United Nations Security Council’s Taliban Sanctions Committee. He also questioned the country’s appointment as vice-chair of the UN Security Council’s Counter-Terrorism Committee.
Speaking to members of the Indian diaspora in Washington, Sandhu cast doubt on Pakistan’s commitment to fighting terrorism, especially while it holds such crucial positions at the UN. “On the UN, it also implies how seriously Pakistan will take terrorism, especially when such a responsible position they are given,” Sandhu remarked. He also questioned the extent of real authority vested in Pakistan’s delegation to the U.S., led by former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, stating, “How much authority and power the Generals or Marshal side has given to them?”
Pakistan is set to chair the Taliban Sanctions Committee in 2025. The committee is tasked with enforcing sanctions, including asset freezes, travel bans, and arms embargoes, against individuals and entities linked to the Taliban. Simultaneously, Pakistan will serve as the vice-chair of the Counter-Terrorism Committee, formed after the 9/11 attacks to oversee the implementation of international counter-terrorism measures.
Sandhu criticized the lack of democratic structure in Pakistan, contrasting it with the democratic values shared between India and the United States. “For Indians, democracy starts on our dining tables… All of you have seen the democracy that exists in Pakistan. Their Army controls their democracy. The United States and India have a bond of democracy between them. We have to ensure that the important democracies of the world monitor the irresponsible people who wield power in Pakistan, so they can’t get away with shortcuts,” he said.
The remarks come as Bilawal Bhutto, who is also visiting the U.S., addressed a briefing at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Bhutto made an appeal for reconciliation with India, calling for intelligence sharing and talks in the wake of Pakistan’s reported losses following India’s Operation Sindoor.
According to ongoing analysis, the Indian Air Force inflicted significant damage on Pakistan’s military assets. The report suggests that six Pakistan Air Force fighter jets, two high-value aircraft, over ten unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs), one C-130 transport aircraft, and multiple cruise missiles were destroyed by India’s air-launched and surface-to-air missile systems. These losses followed Pakistan’s attempted attacks on Indian defense and civilian installations.
(ANI)
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