“Like the cat guarding the milk”: India Blasts UN Over Pakistan’s Anti‑Terror Roles

India’s Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, on June 10, 2025, delivered a scathing rebuke of the United Nations Security Council’s (UNSC) decision to entrust Pakistan with leadership positions in key counter-terrorism bodies. Describing the move as “like the cat guarding the milk,” Singh questioned how a country frequently accused of offering refuge and support to terrorist organizations could be placed in charge of fighting terror.

Rajnath Singh also spoke about Pakistan’s record of sheltering and glorifying terrorists. (PTI photo) | India Today

Controversial UN Appointments

Singh’s criticism focused on two pivotal positions: Pakistan’s role as vice-chair of the UNSC’s 1373 Counter‑Terrorism Committee and its scheduled chairmanship of the Taliban Sanctions Committee in 2025. He argued that this contradicted the UN’s core mission and severely undermined its credibility. Highlighting Pakistan’s alleged protection of notorious figures such as Hafiz Saeed, Masood Azhar, and even the architects of the 9/11 attacks, Singh asserted that such appointments were a grievous betrayal of global counter-terror norms.

India’s Assertive Security Posture

India has simultaneously pressed forward with a more assertive defence stance. Following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, New Delhi launched Operation Sindoor, described by Singh as the most significant anti-terror operation in India’s history. Speaking at a CII conference, Singh said that although India had the capability for much broader strikes, New Delhi chose restraint—displaying discipline and strategic thoughtfulness in its actions.

Diplomacy Beyond the Battlefield

Singh emphasized that India’s strength lay in its diplomacy. India has been active in legitimizing its message through the UNSC, BRICS, and other international forums, advocating that sponsors, backers, and financiers of terror be held accountable. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar echoed this hawkish tone, warning Islamabad that India “will go deep” into its territory to thwart terror threats. Opposition leaders have also called for global financial institutions, including the IMF and World Bank, to cut aid to Pakistan, alleging funds are diverted to support military-terror operations.

Why It Matters

This unfolding narrative highlights a pivotal inflection point in international counter‑terror mechanisms. If countries accused of harbouring terrorists can lead the fight against them, the legitimacy of institutions like the UN could be severely compromised. Simultaneously, India’s mix of diplomatic pressure and calibrated military action signals a new equilibrium in its national security doctrine—one less bound by restraint and more guided by strategic rigor.

Conclusion

Rajnath Singh’s sharp critique—likening Pakistan’s UN appointments to “guarding the milk” by a cat—reflects deep unease within New Delhi and among its allies. Backed by both firm military policy and diplomatic outreach, India is reshaping the global conversation on terror accountability, urging stronger standards and consequences for states that allegedly abet terrorist networks. The battle for credibility—not just in policy but in the halls of global governance—continues.

(Sources: Moneycontrol, India Today, NDTV)