New Delhi, July 23: India has raised the issue of resource exploitation in Balochistan, highlighting that the vast natural wealth of the region is not benefiting the local population. This has led to discontent and rebellion against Islamabad.
India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, P. Harish, stated on Wednesday, “It is the responsibility of every country to ensure fair and equitable sharing of benefits from oil, gas, minerals, rare metals, and precious resources in resource-rich provinces.”
He emphasized that this is essential not only for stability within the country but also to prevent internal instability and insecurity in the entire region.
Without directly naming Pakistan, Harish diplomatically indicated that this situation applies to Balochistan. He remarked, “The consequences of failing to do so are clearly visible, affecting our region as well.”
Despite being rich in natural resources and contributing significantly to Pakistan’s economy, Balochistan remains one of the country’s poorest provinces. This disparity has led the Baloch people to protest for their rightful share of the province’s contributions, resulting in increased rebellion due to harsh suppression.
Harish warned, “A heavy-handed and security-focused approach in resource-rich provinces exacerbates the situation. Provinces rich in resources but lagging in development become centers of insecurity, spreading instability beyond their borders, even to neighboring countries.”
He noted, “This instability attracts external interference and resource exploitation, further escalating local grievances.”
During a high-level open discussion on “Natural Resource Governance: The Foundation of Peace, Security, and Prosperity,” P. Harish stated, “The primary responsibility for governance and management of natural resources lies with sovereign countries.”
He added, “Therefore, national ownership, capacity-building, and strengthening institutions should be at the core of all national and international efforts.”
In some parts of Africa, armed groups and terrorists have fought for control over natural resources, funding their activities and leading to civil wars and local conflicts that have cost people dearly.
P. Harish remarked, “India believes that in some situations, the illegal use and trafficking of natural resources can aid in funding armed groups and prolonging conflicts. However, we must remember that natural resources are primarily engines for development and prosperity for sovereign nations.”
He stressed the challenge of ensuring that these resources are managed transparently, accountably, and with national ownership for the benefit of current and future generations.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated, “Countries and communities should benefit first and foremost from the resources around them.”
P. Harish pointed out that countries in the Global South have suffered exploitation of their natural resources during the colonial era, a trend that continues today, where resources are extracted from these nations, but the economic benefits flow elsewhere, leaving local impoverished communities facing environmental and socio-economic damage.
He concluded, “It is time to bridge the gap between recognized sovereign rights over a country’s natural resources and the practical exercise of those rights.”
P. Harish noted, “This sovereignty gap is most evident in Africa, where the legacy of colonialism and governance challenges severely hinder countries from realizing the value of their natural resources or reinvesting it in their development.”
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