United Nations/New Delhi: UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has said it pains him to see relations between India and Pakistan “reach a boiling point” and urged both countries to avoid a military confrontation that could easily spin out of control.
In his address to the media, the UN Secretary General also strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack, and said that those responsible for it must be brought to justice “through credible and lawful means”.
Guterres also offered the good offices of the UN to help in the de-escalation efforts and reiterated that “A military solution is no solution.”
In his remarks, Guterres said:
“Tensions between India and Pakistan are at their highest” in years.
“I deeply respect and am profoundly grateful to the Government and people of both countries — and their significant contributions to the work of the United Nations, not least UN peacekeeping.
“And so, it pains me to see relations reaching a boiling point.
“I understand the raw feelings following the awful terror attack in Pahalgam on 22 April.
“I once again strongly condemn that attack and extend my condolences to the families of the victims.
“Targeting civilians is unacceptable – and those responsible must be brought to justice through credible and lawful means.
“It is also essential – especially at this critical hour — to avoid a military confrontation that could easily spin out of control.
“Now is the time for maximum restraint and stepping back from the brink.
“That has been my message in my ongoing outreach with both countries.
“Make no mistake: A military solution is no solution.
“And I offer my good offices to both governments in the service of peace.
“The United Nations stands ready to support any initiative that promotes de-escalation, diplomacy, and a renewed commitment to peace.”
The UN Secretary General’s address to the media on rising tensions between India and Pakistan come days after he spoke with both nations, offering his good offices to support de-escalation efforts.
While the UN chief had spoken with the Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his talks with India, he spoke with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
In his April 29 telephonic talk with both sides, UN chief in his message “underscored the need to avoid a confrontation that could result in tragic consequences”, and “noted the importance of pursuing justice and accountability for these attacks through lawful means”.
Notably, the UN chief in his April 23 statement on the Pahalgam terror attack had referred to it as an “armed attack” and not as a terrorist attack. The reference to terror attack came after all the world leaders, including the US and Russia, roundly condemned the April 22 Pahalgam attack as a terrorist attack. In his April 23 statement, Guterres had also sought to highlight Kashmir as a disputed area between India and Pakistan. India has said that following revocation of Article 370 in J&K, there is no question of Kashmir being under any kind of dispute, and that the UN has no jurisdiction over the Indian UT.
EAM S Jaishankar had in a post on the talk with Guterres stressed that “India is resolved that the perpetrators, planners and backers of this attack are brought to justice”, reiterating what PM Modi has vowed – to pursue the attackers and their backers to the ends of the earth.
The statement by Guterres on Monday evening comes after a close-door informal session of the UNSC, called by Pakistan, to discuss the rising tensions between the two countries in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
