United Nations Security Council, Kashmir Escalation: Indo-Pak Border Conflict, 2019
Double Delegation, Advanced Committee
Topic Summary
In 1947, the British retreated from the sub-continent and left a radiating colonial legacy of two states, Pakistan born out of Islam and India born out of oppression. However, for the people of Kashmir, the legacy was of a kindling fire that was soon to burn the souls of millions. Pakistan lays claim to the region due to its majority Muslim population, and India lays claim to the region based on the accession of Maharaja Hari Singh. The fire that was lit in 1947 was re-ignited in 2019. Under the cover of the night on the 26th of February 2019, an airstrike was conducted by India into the Pakistani mainland in retaliation for a suicide bomb attack by Jaish-e-Mohammed (JEM). The confrontation embroiled both countries in their highest level of confrontation since the Kargil War in 1999. It is precisely when two nuclear countries are brought to the brink that the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is called upon to deliver peace, stability, and justice for the sake of humanity.
This is the responsibility placed upon you as a member of the Security Council. Your mission, should you choose to accept it: find a solution to a decades-old conflict that has tormented the finest diplomats and bested great statesman.
In this high stakes fast paced committee, be on your toes, and come with nerves of steel for you are in for a roller coaster ride through one of the world’s most nuanced and complex conflicts.
Dear Comrades,
I hope you are doing well! My name is Rauf Nawaz and I am both honored and excited to Direct a committee that expounds on the geo-strategic conflicts of my motherland.
I am a sophomore from Lahore, Pakistan studying a double concentration (major) in Social Studies and Economics and hoping to pursue law school in the future. I attended my first conference in grade 6th and later served as the President of the Model UN Society in High School. For college, I decided to part ways with competitive Model UNs and pursued my passions elsewhere. At Harvard I write for the Harvard Crimson and serve a member of the Honor Council. I am also a historian at heart, an avid support of Barca, a gaming enthusiast, and a cinephile.
As a first hand witness to the escalations between India and Pakistan, it will be my prerogative to make this committee a re-incarntion of the chaos, terror, and stakes of the conflict between 2 nuclear states. However, the committee will also be a space for you to make memories of laughter, friendships, and bonds that go beyond HMUN. My mentor was my Model UN coach and my closest friends were made through Model UN and it will be my mission to have you fall in love with Model UNs as I once did.
Until we meet in January, godspeed!
Warm Regards,
Rauf Nawaz
Director, United Nations Security Council: Kashmir Escalation: Indo-Pak Border Conflict, 2019
unsc@harvardmun.org
Harvard Model United Nations 2026
Esteemed members of the UNSC,
August Damiani is a sophomore at Harvard studying Computer Science and Neuroscience. From the Northwest side of Chicago, August has been involved in Model UN since high school, and travels as a competitor on Harvard’s Intercollegiate Model UN team.
Beyond Model UN, August enjoys reading, music, and long runs along the Charles. He is excited to staff HMUN in what is sure to be a very exciting year.
August Damiani
Crisis Director, United Nations Security Council: Kashmir Escalation: Indo-Pak Border Conflict, 2019
unsc@harvardmun.org
Harvard Model United Nations 2026
