India Urges UN for Transparency in Terrorism Listings Amid Pakistan's Criticism

In a recent address at the United Nations, India has called for greater transparency in the Security Council's processes for listing and delisting terrorist organizations, implicitly criticizing Pakistan's role in these matters. Yojna Patel, representing India, emphasized that the Council's authority should not be misused for political gains. The ongoing delays in appointing chairs for subsidiary bodies dealing with terrorism have raised concerns, with calls for urgent reforms to enhance the Council's effectiveness. This article delves into India's stance on these critical issues and the implications for international security.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 20, 2026, 12:17 IST

India's Call for Transparency in UN Security Council

Photo: @ians_india/X

United Nations, Aug 20: India has implicitly criticized Pakistan's approach to terrorism, advocating for greater transparency in how the Security Council lists and delists terrorist organizations. The Indian representative emphasized that these processes should not be influenced by narrow political agendas.

Yojna Patel, the charge d'affaires of India's UN Mission, stated during the Council's Open Debate on Working Methods that the Security Council's authority should not be misused to legitimize terrorists through selective listings or delistings based on political motives, lacking objective criteria or supporting evidence.

She highlighted the unfortunate situation where the Council's subsidiary bodies, responsible for addressing terrorism, remain without leadership due to internal disputes.

The procedures for listing and delisting terrorists, along with the appointment of committee chairs, are often conducted in secrecy.

This year, attempts by Pakistan and China to classify the Baloch Liberation Army and the Majeed Brigade as terrorist organizations under UN sanctions were unsuccessful, thwarted by the US, France, and Britain.

Pakistan, which holds an elected seat on the Council, has sought to remove certain terrorists and organizations it harbors from the sanctions list.

China has historically blocked efforts to designate figures like Jaish-e-Mohammad's Masood Azhar and Lashkar-e-Taiba's Sajid Mir as global terrorists.

Patel remarked that membership in the Security Council entails significant responsibilities and should not serve as a platform for pursuing narrow political interests.

She called for increased transparency and objectivity in the processes surrounding the listing and delisting of terrorist entities.

Despite eight months passing, the Council has yet to appoint chairs for its subsidiary bodies that manage sanctions and counterterrorism, primarily due to Pakistan's desire to lead the sanctions committee.

The Council's consensus-based decision-making has contributed to this impasse.

Patel noted that these bodies have struggled to function effectively in recent times, largely due to delays in appointing chairs.

She urged the Security Council to prioritize resolving this issue and establishing a definitive timeline for finalizing the chairs of subsidiary bodies.

Japan also expressed serious concerns regarding the delays in chair appointments, with Deputy Permanent Representative Mikanagi Tomohiro urging prompt agreement through balanced and inclusive discussions.

Patel pointed out the disparity between the Council's peacekeeping decisions and the realities faced by troop-contributing nations, emphasizing their need for inclusion in UNSC decision-making regarding peacekeeping mandates and resources.

She attributed the Council's shortcomings to its outdated structure, established post-World War II, and reiterated India's call for reform to expand both permanent and non-permanent memberships.

Patel insisted that this reform could only be achieved through text-based negotiations with clear milestones and timelines.

However, the reform process, known as Intergovernmental Negotiations, has stalled due to procedural tactics employed by a small group of countries, including Pakistan, led by Italy, which have hindered the adoption of a negotiating text.