The UN chief’stands ready’ to support any action that reduces tensions between India and Pakistan.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Monday that he is still “deeply concerned” about the rising tensions between India and Pakistan after the armed assault in Indian-occupied Kashmir last week and pledged to support “any initiatives, acceptable to both parties, that promote de-escalation and the resumption of dialogue.”

“The Secretary-General reaffirms his firm belief that even the most challenging issues can be resolved peacefully through meaningful and constructive dialogue,” his Deputy Spokesperson, Farhan Aziz Haq, said in an e-mail response to questions from APP correspondent.

“He stands ready to support any initiatives, acceptable to both parties, that promote de-escalation and the resumption of dialogue.” Farhan Haq added.

Media sources state that a gun incident near the tourist resort of Pahalgam claimed the lives of 26 people.

The UN chief once more expressed “his solidarity with the families of the victims of the 22 April terrorist attack and underscores the importance of accountability and justice,” the deputy spokesperson said in his Monday statement.

Guterres encouraged both governments “to exercise maximum restraint and avoid any escalation” at the same time.

Following the attack, India declared a number of actions against Pakistan, including the unilateral suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, the closure of the border crossing between the two nations, the expulsion of diplomats, and a 48-hour notice period for certain Pakistani visa holders to depart.

In retaliation, Pakistan, which adamantly denied any involvement in the incident, expelled some Indian ambassadors, closed its airspace to Indian aircraft, and immediately suspended all visas granted to Indian nationals under an exemption program.

The United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP), which keeps an eye on the Line of Control (LoC) in the disputed Kashmir region, is not present in the area where the attack took place, according to Farhan Haq.
However, he said, the organization “continues to implement its mandate of supervising the strict observance of the 1971 ceasefire along the Line of Control and observing developments pertaining to it.”

India does not permit UN observers to watch the Line of Control, but Pakistan does.