UN’s Guterres urges India, Pakistan to avoid escalation in South Asia

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As war clouds hover over the subcontinent, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged India and Pakistan to avoid escalation of the situation amid reports of troops exchanging fire across the Line of Control in Kashmir.

“The Secretary-General remains deeply concerned about the situation between India and Pakistan”, his spokesperson Farhan Haq said in a written response to a reporter’s query.

“He strongly urges both Governments to exercise maximum restraint and avoid any escalation”, Haq said on Monday.

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For the fourth day running on Monday, the Pakistan Army launched unprovoked firing with small arms across the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, and “Indian troops responded swiftly and effectively”, the Indian defense ministry spokesperson said.

Haq said the UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) “has no presence in the area where the attack happened”.

Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif told a TV outlet that there was “an immediate threat” of a confrontation.

“The Secretary-General reaffirms his firm belief that even the most challenging issues can be resolved peacefully through meaningful and constructive dialogue”, Haq said.

“He stands ready to support any initiatives, acceptable to both parties, that promote and the resumption of dialogue”, he added.

India is opposed to any third-party involvement in disputes with its neighbor citing the 1972 Simla Agreement between the leaders of the two countries declaring their disputes bilateral.

Haq said, “The Secretary-General conveys his solidarity with the families of the victims of the 22 April terrorist attack and underscores the importance of accountability and justice”.

(Used under special arrangement with South Asia Monitor. This article appeared in SAM on April 29, 2025)

ADDON FROM UN READOUT

A statement put out by the UN on April 29, reads as follows: This morning, the Secretary-General spoke separately by telephone with Muhammad Shebaz Sharif, the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and he also spoke earlier in the day with Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, the Minister for External Affairs of the Republic of India. In his phone calls, the Secretary-General reiterated his strong condemnation of the 22 April terrorist attack that took place in Jammu and Kashmir.  The Secretary-General noted the importance of pursuing justice and accountability for these attacks through lawful means. 
The Secretary-General also expressed his deep concern at the rising tensions between India and Pakistan and he also underscored the need to avoid a confrontation that could result in tragic consequences.
The Secretary-General offered his Good Offices to support any de-escalation efforts.

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