Desi Talk

www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 7 CITY VIEWS January 10, 2025 P akistan joins the UN Security Council in the New Year subtly changing the balance in the world organization’s highest decision-making body and getting a virtual veto power over sanctioning terrorists it harbors. Elected in June as a non- permanent member, it will replace Japan for a two-year term on one of the two seats for Asia Pacific countries in the Council. Pakistan received 182 votes in the 193-member Gen- eral Assembly for its eighth turn on the Council. Now Islamabad will not have to rely on Beijing to pro- tect its terrorists like the mastermind of the 26/11 Mum- bai attacks, Sajid Mir, at the Islamic State and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee, which designates individuals and groups associated with those two organizations as terror- ists and imposes sanctions. Although only permanent members have a veto over decisions of the Council, non-permanent members have a virtual veto in the sanctions committees for terrorism because they act through consensus under accepted norms. The virtual veto given by the consensus procedure has been denounced, with New Zealand, a former head of the Islamic State-al-Qaida sanctions panel calling it “the single biggest inhibitor to Committee effectiveness,” India has described the working of the sanctions com- mittees as “subterranean” based on “obscure practices” without legal basis and called for transparency so that the rationale for decisions and how they are made are revealed. Pakistan also gets a soapbox at the Council to amplify its campaign on Kashmir, an issue it routinely brings up regardless of the subject under discussion, launching virulent attacks on India. CHANGE IN POWER BALANCE However, this will be more of a continuing publicity stunt because it has been a voice in the wilderness unable to get any other country to join in despite trying to link Kashmir to the Palestine problem. When Pakistan takes the presidency of the Council in July it can convene at least two of what are called Signa- ture Events on topics of its choice with high-level partici- pation, both its own and invitees. Even if it doesn’t directly make it an anti-India show, it can take a topic that it can manipulate for propaganda on India and Kashmir. With Japan retiring, there is a subtle change in the balance at the polarised Council where a triumvirate of China, Russia and Pakistan will emerge on many issues. The other Asian member is Korea, which like Japan, is pro-Western. In the General Assembly, Pakistan has tracked China’s voting on many issues, especially Ukraine when it joined Beijing in voting on a resolution naming Russia as the aggressor, while generally abstaining. On Palestine, Pakistan has been a vociferous supporter of its cause and can be expected to raise the decibel in the Council, where it can go head-to-head with the Unit- ed States, which will redouble its backing for Israel under President-elect Donald Trump who has said hardliner Elise Stefanik will be his nominee to be the permanent representative. Islamabad straddles a dichotomy on terrorism – while backing or deploying terrorists against India, it de- nounces terrorism directed against it by groups like the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) that it says are based in Afghanistan. It can be expected to denounce what it describes as Afghanistan’s role in terrorism and try to get groups it says target it sanctioned. The Asia Pacific group rotates its nominees for the Council, which are selected through consensus. The group’s 53 members range from tiny Nauru in the east to Cyprus at the edge of Europe on theWest. After heavy canvassing, Islamabad got the backing of about 20 countries as diverse as China, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon and Singapore and the group endorsed it in 2023. -(Used under special arrangementwith SAM) G overnor of Virginia, Glenn Young- kin in an exclusive Q&A with South Asian Herald on January 4, 2025, underscored the importance of Republicans securing control of both the Virginia House and Senate in the special elec- tion on January 7th, emphasizing conserva- tive policies like tax relief, public safety, and parental involvement in education. Governor Youngkin highlighted Tumay Harding and RamVenkatachalam as dedicated leaders ready to represent Loudoun County. He also noted that President Donald Trump’s recent success in Virginia strengthens GOP confi- dence and commended the contributions of Indian Americans and other South Asian communities to the state. Amid an incom- ing snowstorm, early voting and emergency preparations are underway to ensure a smooth election process. Why is it critical for Republicans to secure control of both the House and Senate in this special election? Loudoun County has an incredible opportunity to send two leaders to Richmond who will go to work right away on the issues that matter most. Tumay Harding and RamVenkatachalam are commonsense conservatives who will be dedicated partners in our work to provide further tax relief for Virginia families, address the most hated car tax, protect our communities from dangerous sanctuary city policies, and keep parents at the head seat of the table in their children’s lives. What impact, if any, do you think President Donald Trump’s recent victory might have on this election? Virginians understand that commonsense, conser- vative leadership works. They’ve seen it firsthand in Virginia – lower taxes, more jobs, a roaring economy, law enforcement that is supported and communities that are safe, and students that have access to the best education with their parents at the head seat of the table. President Trump’s victory and his strong performance in Virginia shows that commonsense conservative leadership not only works here but can win here. Tumay and Ram have that leadership, and that’s why I’m urging Virginians to vote for them. Can you elaborate on Ram Venkatachalam’s lead- ership and candidacy in this election? Ram’s story is the story of the American dream. Ram chose not only to pursue his dreams and build his family in Virginia, but also to serve his community. Whether it is his service as an elections officer or on the Transit Advisory Board, Ram has been a dedicated leader for Loudoun. I know he will bring that same dedication to Richmond. Could you highlight the contributions of Indian Americans and other South Asian communities in Virginia? Indian Americans and South Asian com- munities across Virginians are real pillars for our Commonwealth. They are veterans who’ve served and sacrificed for our freedom, entre- preneurs who drive our economy and jobs forward, faith leaders, and so much more. Most importantly, they are Americans and Virgin- ians who are so dedicated to the mission we all share – making our Commonwealth the best place to live, work, and raise a family. What specific steps are you implementing to ensure the special election proceeds smoothly, considering you have declared a state of emergency due to the incoming snowstorm? I have urged Virginians to vote early on Saturday [January 4th] ahead of the expected snowstorm that may impact voting on Tuesday. I also issued a state of emer- gency, and urged Virginians to monitor weather forecasts, prepare for potential impacts, and heed warnings from local officials. -(Used under special arrangementwith SAH) By South Asia Monitor By T.Vishnudatta Jayaraman, South Asian Herald Pakistan Joins UN Security Council In 2025; Will Have Virtual Veto On Designating Terrorists ‘Tumay Harding And Ram Venkatachalam Are “Commonsense Conservatives”: Virginia Gov. Youngkin PHOTO:UN Photo PHOTO:T.Vishnudatta Jayaraman,SAH United Nations headquarters with national flags of different member countries. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin with Tumay Harding and Ram Venkatachalam on January 4, 2025, at the Freedom High School in Chantilly, Virginia.