In July 2025, Pakistan successfully assumed the presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), marking a milestone in its diplomatic journey and reinforcing its image as a responsible global actor committed to peace, justice, and multilateralism. While Pakistan used the platform to emphasize international solidarity, peaceful dispute resolution, and representation of the Islamic world, India continued to face mounting scrutiny over its deteriorating human rights record. The sharp contrast between Pakistan’s constructive role at the UN and India’s deepening credibility crisis highlights not only shifting global perceptions but also the urgent need to reassess narratives about both states.

Pakistan’s leadership of the UNSC was significant for both its symbolism and substance. For a nation that has borne the brunt of terrorism, cross-border instability, and complex security challenges, Pakistan’s presidency was an opportunity to champion issues central to international peace. Central to its agenda was the promotion of multilateralism and peaceful dispute settlement—principles under threat in a world plagued by unilateralism and coercion.

A signature event chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar focused on “Promoting international peace and security through multilateralism and the peaceful settlement of disputes.” The participation of the UN Secretary-General lent weight to the proceedings and demonstrated Pakistan’s ability to convene meaningful dialogue on pressing global issues.

Pakistan’s presidency also provided an opportunity to spotlight longstanding disputes central to its foreign policy—Kashmir and Palestine. By linking these struggles to broader themes of self-determination, justice, and human rights, Pakistan drew attention to conflicts too often sidelined by great power politics. In doing so, it reaffirmed its commitment to representing not just its own interests but those of marginalized peoples denied their fundamental rights.

While Pakistan gained diplomatic capital at the UN, India’s credibility eroded further due to its worsening human rights situation. Under the current government, India has seen a systematic weakening of independent institutions, widespread restrictions on press freedom, and the use of draconian laws to silence dissent. Civil society organizations, journalists, and human rights defenders have faced harassment, detention, and censorship—actions that sharply contradict India’s self-proclaimed image as the “world’s largest democracy.”

The persecution of religious and ethnic minorities has become particularly alarming. Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Dalits, and Adivasis face institutionalized discrimination, violence, and hate speech, often emboldened by political rhetoric. International human rights organizations have documented forced evictions, media blackouts, extrajudicial killings, and police abuses. India has even earned the infamous label of the “Rape Capital” due to widespread gender-based violence, coupled with a justice system that has repeatedly failed victims.

These internal crises have not gone unnoticed. Several international bodies have criticized India’s rights record, with some deferring recognition of its human rights institutions for failing to meet UN standards. Moreover, allegations of India’s involvement in extraterritorial repression—including attacks against dissidents in Canada and the United States—have tarnished its reputation further. Instead of being seen as a rising global power, India increasingly faces accusations of authoritarianism at home and aggression abroad.

The juxtaposition of Pakistan’s constructive diplomacy at the UNSC and India’s deepening rights crisis is striking. While Pakistan used its presidency to advocate multilateralism, solidarity, and peaceful resolution of disputes, India found itself under growing international condemnation for suppressing freedoms and violating human dignity.

Pakistan’s successful UNSC presidency offers lessons and opportunities. It shows that even states facing significant domestic challenges can project constructive global leadership by grounding their diplomacy in principles of justice, dialogue, and solidarity. For Pakistan, sustaining this momentum will require consistency—translating international advocacy into domestic stability and responsible governance.

For India, the message from the international community is clear: continued erosion of rights and democratic institutions will carry reputational costs. No amount of economic growth or strategic partnerships can indefinitely mask systematic human rights abuses. India risks not only its credibility but also its ability to claim moral authority in global forums.

July 2025 was a tale of two trajectories. Pakistan emerged as a responsible advocate for peace and multilateralism during its UNSC presidency, highlighting global issues from Kashmir to Palestine and amplifying the voice of the Islamic world. India, on the other hand, faced a severe credibility crisis, exposed for its human rights violations and authoritarian drift.

The contrast is not lost on the international community. As global attention increasingly focuses on the principles of justice, human rights, and inclusive governance, Pakistan’s leadership at the UNSC positions it as a constructive player, while India’s credibility continues to wither under the weight of its own contradictions.