During his speech before the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasised regional security, Kashmir issue and the looming prospect of military confrontation between India and Pakistan in 2025. He also expressed his gratitude to the United States President, Donald Trump, for what he termed a “timely intervention” in the time of crisis.
Sharif Credits Trump for 2025 Intervention
Trump’s action thwarted the danger of aggravating the situation into a broader conflict between the two nuclear powers, Sharif said. He attributed the end of the hostilities to the intervention of the US president and claimed some of the lives might have been lost if the intervention had not intervened.
The 25th standoff came after Operation Sindoor by the Indian forces in Pahalgam, April 22, 2025. Over a long period of time, Pakistan has tried to showcase the resumption of hostilities on the international diplomacy and the external engagement side.
Kashmir Again Takes Centre Stage
Kashmir was also an integral part of Sharif’s speech before the UNGA. He demanded a “just and fair solution” to the issue as per the relevant UN Security Council resolutions as Pakistan has stated.
Pakistan has always maintained that Jammu Kashmir is an un-solved issue which needed a peaceful solution. This was also notable in a series of preparations before Sharif’s visit to the UNGA where Islamabad stated he’ll discuss the situation of J&K along with other regional and global issues.
Indus Waters Treaty Becomes Another Flashpoint
Sharif also spoke of the Indus Waters Treaty, citing India’s recent announcement that it would put the 1960 pact in “abeyance. Pakistan has raised the alarm on what it says is an attempt to ‘weaponise water’ and has connected this issue with bigger tensions between the two nations.
Since the 2025 crisis, the treaty is a major point of disagreement. Meanwhile, Pakistan still states that the deal remains valid, while India is sticking to its case for security concerns after the attack in Pahalgam.
India Responds at UN
In response to Sharif’s statement, India issued its ‘Right of Reply’. First Secretary Petal Gahlot shot down Pakistan’s assertion and reiterated New Delhi’s claim that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral and inalienable part of India.
India also refuted Pakistan’s assertion that it had ended hostilities in 2025 and came forward asserting that the understanding was the outcome of a normal conversation between the two countries’ military authorities and not via a third party. New Delhi also emphasized the issue of cross-border terrorism as a key security issue.
What Sharif’s UNGA Remarks Highlight?
The deal at UNGA 81 is a telling sign that Kashmir, terrorism, water source and the management of wars in 2005 are still affecting India-Pakistan “diplomatic posture”. Sharif presents Pakistan’s interpretation to the world in his speech and India uses a Right of Reply to the table to present India’s competing interpretation of the circumstances.
FAQs
What did Shehbaz Sharif have to say about Donald Trump?
For the timely intervention during the military standoff between India and Pakistan in 2025, Sharif thanked Trump.
Why did Sharif raise Kashmir at the UN?
Sharif repeated Pakistan’s long-standing stance that the matter needs to be settled politically in accordance with relevant clauses of the UN Security Council Resolutions.
What did India say in response?
India’s stance on J&K, condemnation of cross-border terrorism are key concerns as India rejects Pakistan claims.
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