UN Urges De-escalation as India-Pakistan Tensions Flare

UN Expresses Concern Over Rising Violence

The United Nations is sounding the alarm as tensions between India and Pakistan soar following a deadly terrorist attack in the disputed region of Kashmir. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke separately with both Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, urging them to avoid a confrontation that could have devastating consequences.

Calls for Justice and Accountability

The UN strongly condemned the April 22nd attack in Pahalgam, where at least 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed by terrorists. Guterres emphasized the importance of pursuing justice and accountability for the attack through legal means. Both India and Pakistan have accused each other of involvement in the violence.

Avoiding Catastrophe

Dujarric, the UN Spokesperson, stated that the Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the escalating tensions between the two nations. He stressed that the world cannot afford a conflict between India and Pakistan, which would have catastrophic consequences for both countries and the global community. Guterres offered the UN’s support in any de-escalation efforts.

Leaders Respond

Jaishankar, in a post on X, formerly Twitter, stated that he appreciated Guterres’s condemnation of the attack and agreed on the need for accountability. He emphasized India’s commitment to bringing the perpetrators, planners, and backers of the attack to justice. Sharif, in his conversation with Guterres, called for a neutral investigation into the Pahalgam incident and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to peace, but also stated that Pakistan would defend its sovereignty if challenged.