Urging de-escalation, UN chief offers to mediate between Pakistan, India

Antonio Guterres appeals to both sides to urgently lower tension through mutual engagement

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Thursday expressed deep concern over rising tensions between Pakistan and India. He also offered mediation between both countries for de-escalation, Radio Pakistan reported.

The UN chief's spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, in response to a question at the regular briefing at UN Headquarters in New York, said that "his good offices remain available if both sides agree".

The spokesman said the secretary general has spoken to Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and is also in contact with India.



He said the UN chief has appealed to both sides to urgently take steps to lower tension through mutual engagement to responsibly maintain peace and stability in the region.

Tensions escalated dramatically between the two countries on February 14 when a young man – a native of Indian Occupied Kashmir (IoK) – rammed an explosives-laden car into an Indian military convoy, killing 44 soldiers.

The Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) reportedly claimed the attack, but India was quick to hurl unsubstantiated allegations at Pakistan.



Prime Minister Imran Khan offered every possible help in an investigation, but India turned down the offer and instead whipped up war hysteria.