United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called on both India and Pakistan to exercise “maximum restraint” and avoid actions that could further escalate tensions following the deadly attack in Indian-Occupied Kashmir earlier this week.
“The Secretary-General is following the situation very closely and with deep concern,” UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said during a daily press briefing at UN Headquarters in New York.
The appeal comes in the aftermath of a gun attack near the Pahalgam tourist resort in Indian-Occupied Kashmir, which reportedly left 26 people dead. Guterres condemned the incident and expressed condolences to the families of the victims.
In response to the attack, the Indian government has taken a series of punitive measures against Pakistan, including the unilateral suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, closure of border crossings, expulsion of Pakistani diplomats, and orders for certain Pakistani visa holders to leave the country within 48 hours.
Pakistan, while strongly denying any involvement in the attack, responded by suspending all visa exemptions for Indian nationals, expelling Indian diplomats, and closing its airspace to Indian aircraft.
When asked about the developments, Dujarric confirmed that the Secretary-General has not had direct communication with the leaders of either country but reiterated the UN’s longstanding position on peaceful resolution through dialogue.
“We believe that any issues between India and Pakistan can and should be resolved peacefully through meaningful mutual engagement,” Dujarric emphasized.
Regarding India’s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, the spokesperson said, “This falls under our broader appeal for maximum restraint and for avoiding actions that could worsen an already tense situation.”
The United Nations continues to monitor the situation with concern as both nuclear-armed neighbours engage in tit-for-tat measures, raising fears of a broader conflict in the region.
