India, Israel vote against Pak-sponsored arms control resolution at UN

United Nations: India and Israel have opposed a Pakistan-sponsored resolution on conventional arms control at the United Nations, arguing that security challenges cannot be addressed solely through regional arrangements.

The draft, jointly proposed by Pakistan and Belarus, was adopted by the UN General Assembly's First Committee on Monday, securing 180 votes in favour, with India and Israel voting against it. No country abstained.

Explaining India's position, First Secretary Anmol Sher Bedi of India's Permanent Mission to the UN said arms control was a global concern and should not be restricted to regional and subregional frameworks. He also questioned the need for further discussions on the subject, pointing out that the UN Disarmament Commission had already adopted three sets of guidelines and recommendations on regional disarmament and conventional weapons between 1993 and 2017.

India also objected to the proposal's emphasis on maintaining a balance in military capabilities within specific regions, arguing that national security interests often extend beyond geographical boundaries.

Separately, New Delhi voted against a paragraph referring to conventional arms control proposals concerning South Asia.

The resolution advocates regional agreements to strengthen peace and security while maintaining military forces and weapons at the lowest possible levels. It also highlights the responsibility of countries with significant military capabilities in advancing such arrangements.