Resolve Kashmir issue through talks, avoid escalation: UN chief

UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has appealed to both India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir issue through dialogue to avoid any “potential escalation” as the two countries clashed at the UNHRC over New Delhi revoking Jammu and Kashmir’s special status.

At the 42nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva on Tuesday, India defended its “sovereign decision” to revoke Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, which Pakistan said was an illegal act and demanded an international probe by the global rights body.

Secretary (East) in the External Affairs Ministry Vijay Thakur Singh asserted that the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status was India’s sovereign decision and it cannot accept any interference in the country’s internal affairs.

She also hit out at Pakistan’s “malicious” campaign on the Kashmir issue and condemned “state sponsored terrorism.”

UN Secretary General’s spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, at a daily press briefing here on Tuesday, said Guterres had spoken to the leaders of both India and Pakistan.

On Monday, Guterres met with the Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN Maleeha Lodhi on her request over the Kashmir issue.

“His message to all of them has been the same, both publicly and privately, that he remains very concerned about any potential escalation between India and Pakistan over the situation. He appeals to both sides to deal with the issue through dialogue,” Dujarric said.