Pakistani drivers walk next to loaded trucks parked along a road near the Wagah border between Pakistan and India following the withdrawn of trade privileges for Pakistan by the Indian government. The Indian government has withdrawn trade privileges for Pakistan, ended police protection for four Kashmiri separatist leaders and halted some cross-border services. — AFP photo
UNITED NATIONS, United States: UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday called on India and Pakistan to take immediate steps to defuse tensions and offered to help broker a solution if both sides agree.
The two countries have been locked in a diplomatic clash following a suicide attack on February 14 in Kashmir that killed 40 Indian security personnel, triggering counter-operations by Indian forces in the area.
“We are deeply concerned at the increasing tensions between the two countries,” said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric.
Guterres ‘stresses the importance of both sides to exercise maximum restraint and take immediate steps’ to de-escalate, while also offering to mediate ‘should both sides ask,’ said Dujarric.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi appealed to Guterres to step in to defuse tensions, in a letter seen by AFP.
“It is imperative to take steps for de-escalation.
“The United Nations must step in to defuse tensions,” said the letter sent on Monday.
The attack was claimed by Pakistan-based Islamist group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), but the foreign minister insisted that “attributing it to Pakistan even before investigations is absurd.” — AFP