UN Security Council Likely To Discuss Kashmir Behind Closed Doors Today: Reports

Poland, which currently holds the council's rotating presidency, has listed the matter for discussion at 10:00 am (1400 GMT) Friday, the agencies said quoting diplomats.

Srinagar: Indian paramilitary soldiers stand guard during security lockdown in Srinagar. AP/PTI

New Delhi: The United Nations Security Council is scheduled to discuss India's move to revoke the special status to Jammu and Kashmir at a meeting behind closed doors, news agencies reported on Thursday. Poland, which currently holds the council's rotating presidency, has listed the matter for discussion at 10:00 am (1400 GMT) Friday,  the agencies said quoting diplomats. China, which is an all-weather ally of Pakistan, has asked for "closed consultations" in the UN Security Council to discuss India revoking the special status to Jammu and Kashmir after Islamabad wrote a letter seeking a meeting. Quoting a top UN diplomat, news agency PTI reported that a request for such a meeting was submitted very recently, and could take place as early as Friday. "China asked for closed consultations on the Security Council agenda item 'India Pakistan Question'. The request was in reference to the Pakistani letter to Security Council President," the diplomat said. The diplomat said Poland, president of the council for August, has to consult and take into account preferences of other Council members before deciding on time and date for the meeting. The official said that so far no final decision on the time of the meeting had been made and Friday morning is the "earliest realistic option" for the meeting. However, Geo News quoted UNSC President Joanna Wronecka as saying that "the UNSC will discuss the Jammu and Kashmir situation behind closed doors most likely on August 16." When asked about the timing of the meeting, Wronecka said, "Most probably on Friday as the Security Council would not operate on Thursday", the report said. India has categorically told the international community that its move to scrap Article 370 of the Constitution removing the special status to Jammu and Kashmir was an internal matter and has also advised Pakistan to "accept the reality". UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has urged India and Pakistan to exercise "maximum restraint" and refrain from taking steps that could affect the status of Jammu and Kashmir. He had highlighted the Simla Agreement which rejects any third-party mediation on the issue. Pakistan formally called for an emergency meeting of the UNSC to discuss India revoking the special status to Jammu and Kashmir, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said on Thursday. Qureshi said that a discussion on the Kashmir issue in the UNSC after four decades will be a landmark diplomatic achievement, Pakistani media reported. (inputs from agencies)