“It is obviously an issue that he (Secretary General) is following…If we are able to say more, we shall be able to say more…I am not sure what coming to grip means. He is well aware of the issue.”
Days after the United States offered mediation between India-Pakistan, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has underscored the need for India and Pakistan to find a peaceful solution to the Kashmir issue through dialogue, his spokesperson said on Tuesday. As per the reports of PTI, Guterres’ spokesperson Stephane Dujarric dismissed claims that the UN chief was reluctant to address the Kashmir issue or brushes it off.
While talking to reporters at a briefing, Dujarric said, “I don’t brush it off…I don’t think the Secretary-General has been reluctant…He would underscore the need for the parties to find a peaceful solution through engagement and dialogue.” He said this while responding to questions posed by Pakistani journalists on the Secretary-General’s response to the tense situation in Kashmir and why has he been “reluctant” to address the issue.
“I think I would refer you to what we have already said on the situation in Kashmir and I have nothing further to add to it,” Dujarric said, stressing that the UN chief was following the situation in Kashmir. The world body does not have anything new to add to its previous position of urging India and Pakistan to find a solution to the Kashmir issue and resolve their differences through dialogue.
“It is obviously an issue that he (Secretary General) is following…If we are able to say more, we shall be able to say more…I am not sure what coming to grip means. He is well aware of the issue,” Dujarric said in response to a question.
Earlier the US Permanent Representative to the UN, Nikki Haley had said that the US was concerned about the state of India-Pakistan relations and President Trump himself might get involved in a peace process between the two South Asian antagonists. “This administration is concerned about the relationship between India and Pakistan and very much wants to see how we de-escalate any sort of conflict going forward,” Haley, who holds a cabinet rank in the Trump administration had said.
“I would expect that the administration is going to be in talks and try and find its place to be part of that (process,” the former Governor of South Carolina state said. “And also wouldn’t be surprised if the President participates as well,” she had further added.
However, India had dismissed the offer to mediate with Pakistan and had reaffirmed that its position for bilateral redressal of all issues with the Islamic country is still the same and has not changed.
“The government’s position for bilateral redressal of all India-Pakistan issues in an environment free of terror and violence has not changed. We, of course, expect the international community and organisations to enforce international mechanisms and mandates concerning terrorism emanating from Pakistan, which continues to be the single biggest threat to peace and stability in our region and beyond,”Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Gopal Baglay had said in a statement.
