After India’s pre-dawn raids on nine terror targets in Pakistan under Operation Sindoor, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar blamed New Delhi for breaching the United Nations Charter. In a statement, Dar stated, “Pakistan reserves the right to respond appropriately,” under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
India carried out the attacks as a reprisal for the Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 people were killed. The operation had been aimed at “locations from where terror attacks against India have been plotted and coordinated,” India’s defence ministry said.
In an official statement, India emphasised the nature of the mission, stating, “Our actions have been focused, measured, and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted. India has demonstrated considerable restraint in the selection of targets and the method of execution.”
Reacting to it, Pakistan’s foreign minister had criticized India’s move as a violation of global norms. “We strongly denounce India’s act of cowardice, which is a brazen violation of the UN Charter, international law, and recognized norms of interstate relations,” Dar wrote.
What Does Article 51 of the UN Charter Say?
Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, which was adopted in 1945, enforces a member state’s inherent right to self-defense if it is attacked by an armed attack.It clarifies that this right lasts until the UN Security Council takes action to maintain peace and security.
Any action under Article 51 must be notified immediately to the Security Council. The article aims to balance world stability with state sovereignty, allowing defensive actions but subjecting them to international scrutiny.
Although it is invoked mostly in direct armed attack, there is also controversy over whether it can be extended to preemptive attacks or threats issued by non-state entities.
