Daijiworld Media Network – New York

New York, Jul 23: In a fresh diplomatic flashpoint, the United States has once again claimed that the Trump administration played a pivotal role in de-escalating tensions between India and Pakistan in recent months. The statement came during a high-level open debate on ‘Multilateralism and Peaceful Settlement of Disputes’ at the United Nations Security Council, currently presided over by Pakistan.

US Representative to the UN, Ambassador Dorothy Shea, stated that the US under President Donald Trump helped deliver peace efforts in multiple global conflicts — including between India and Pakistan, as well as Israel-Iran and Congo-Rwanda. “The United States, under President Trump’s leadership, played an important role in encouraging the parties to reach these resolutions,” she said.

Shea also urged UN member states to follow suit and seek peaceful solutions to ongoing disputes, adding, “Across the globe, the United States continues to work with parties to disputes, wherever possible, to find peaceful solutions.”

The remarks came during a session presided over by Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. Pakistan, a non-permanent member of the 15-nation Security Council, is holding two signature events this month, focused on peace through multilateralism and cooperation with regional bodies, including the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

However, India firmly refuted the US narrative, reiterating that no mediation was sought or accepted. India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, said the de-escalation with Pakistan was initiated by Islamabad itself after India’s focused counter-terror operation — Operation Sindoor — targeted terror camps in Pakistan and PoJK.

“The operation was measured and non-escalatory. A cessation of military activity was directly concluded at Pakistan’s request,” Harish clarified. He added that India had clearly conveyed its position to Washington — that no third-party mediation would be entertained.

India maintained that dispute resolutions cannot follow a one-size-fits-all approach. “Changing geopolitical contexts must be factored in. India, as a founding member of the UN, remains committed to constructive and peaceful engagement globally,” Harish stated.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Shea also used the platform to strongly condemn China’s maritime actions in the South China Sea. She labelled Beijing’s claims as “expansive and unlawful” and criticised its refusal to comply with the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

“We again call on China to abide by the 2016 ruling, which is final and legally binding,” she said, warning that China’s continued rejection threatens the sovereignty and rights of nations like the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

The session saw multiple flashpoints, with both South Asia and East Asia disputes drawing sharp international attention — underlining the complexities of multilateral diplomacy in a fast-shifting global order.