India Calls for ‘Zero Tolerance’ on Civilian Deaths at UNSC Debate

India has reiterated its call for “zero tolerance” toward the loss of civilian lives during armed conflicts at the annual United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Open Debate on the “Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict,” held May 20 at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

Speaking at the debate, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Harish Parvathaneni, congratulated China on assuming the UNSC presidency for the month and welcomed the convening of the annual discussion on civilian protection in conflict zones.

“India reaffirms its strong commitment to the UN Charter and stresses that protecting civilians at all times, including conflict situations, is a central element of maintenance of international peace and security,” Ambassador Harish said, noting that more than 37,000 civilian deaths were recorded across 20 armed conflicts in 2025. While the figure marked the first decline after three consecutive years of increases, he said the numbers remain alarmingly high.

He expressed concern over continued civilian casualties, mass displacement, destruction of critical infrastructure, and attacks on hospitals, schools, medical personnel, and humanitarian workers. “India calls for zero tolerance to the loss of civilian lives,” he said, adding that parties involved in armed conflicts must ensure safe and unhindered humanitarian access while adhering to international humanitarian law.

Referring to UNSC Resolution 2286, adopted a decade ago to protect medical and humanitarian personnel, Ambassador Harish said repeated attacks on civilian facilities and aid workers reflected a “serious erosion” of respect for international humanitarian law. He emphasized that medical personnel and humanitarian workers “must be protected at all times.”

Citing the United Nations Secretary-General’s report, he noted that the use of “missiles, bombs and other explosive weapons” in densely populated urban areas continues to be a major cause of civilian harm. He also raised concerns about the increasing use of drones and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and autonomous systems, in armed conflict. According to him, such technologies must be used in accordance with international law and humanitarian principles, with safeguards in place to prevent misuse and unintended civilian harm.

Ambassador Harish further stated that protecting civilians cannot rely solely on humanitarian responses and called for comprehensive action against violence targeting civilians, including terrorism. “India remains deeply concerned about the persistent threat posed by cross-border terrorism, which continues to undermine regional peace, stability, and the fundamental principles of international security,” he said.

He added that India has faced cross-border terrorism for decades and asserted that states sponsoring or supporting terrorism “must be held accountable.” “India has consistently emphasized that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations remains one of the gravest threats to civilians worldwide. No cause or grievance can justify deliberate attacks against civilians,” he said.

Ambassador Harish also criticized Pakistan, describing it as “ironic” that the country, despite what he called a long record of “genocidal acts,” had chosen to comment on issues that are “strictly internal to India.”

Referring to a report by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), he said that during the first three months of 2026, 750 civilian deaths and injuries were documented in Afghanistan due to cross-border armed violence allegedly carried out by Pakistani military forces, primarily through air strikes. According to him, UNAMA attributed 94 of 95 incidents of civilian casualties to Pakistani security forces.

“The world has not forgotten that it was during the holy month of Ramadan in March this year, at a time of peace, reflection, and mercy, that Pakistan conducted a barbaric airstrike on the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in Kabul,” he said. “Again, according to UNAMA, this cowardly and unconscionable act of violence claimed the lives of 269 civilians and injured a further 122 in a facility which can by no means be justified as a military target.”

He further described it as “hypocritical” to advocate international law while allegedly targeting civilians. According to Ambassador Harish, the airstrikes occurred after tarawih evening prayers when many patients were leaving the mosque. He also referenced the UN Secretary-General’s appeal urging member states to uphold their obligations related to civilian protection and the principle of non-refoulement concerning Afghanistan, stating that Pakistan had “chosen to ignore this call completely.”

Quoting UNAMA figures, he said more than 94,000 people had been displaced because of cross-border violence affecting Afghan civilians. He also referred to Pakistan’s actions during Operation Searchlight in 1971, alleging that the campaign involved mass atrocities and systematic violence against civilians.

“With no faith, no law, and no morality the world can see through Pakistan’s propaganda,” he said.

Concluding his remarks, Ambassador Harish reiterated India’s position that civilian protection must remain central to the Security Council’s efforts to maintain international peace and security. He called on the international community to strengthen accountability, ensure humanitarian access, protect medical care, responsibly govern emerging technologies, and reinforce respect for international humanitarian law to reduce the suffering of civilians affected by armed conflict.

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