Guterres calls EAM Jaishankar, Pak PM Sharif; stresses pursuing justice in Pahalgam terror attack

United Nations, April 29: Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed the importance of pursuing justice in the Pahalgam terrorist attack while speaking with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and Pakistan's Prime Minister Muhammad Shebaz Sharif, his Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday.

"The Secretary-General also expressed his deep concern at rising tensions between India and Pakistan and underscored the need to avoid a confrontation that could result in tragic consequences," he said.

Dujarric said the world cannot afford a confrontation between India and Pakistan, which would be catastrophic for those two countries and for the world as a whole.

"Guterres has been very clear that he wants to see both sides move towards a de-escalation," he said,

He said that the Secretary-General noted the importance of pursuing justice and accountability for these attacks through lawful means while reiterating his strong condemnation of the terrorist attack.

Twenty-six people, mostly tourists, were killed in Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22.

Dujarric added that Guterres offered his good offices to support de-escalation efforts.

However, India has rejected offers of third-party involvement in disputes between the two neighbours as their leaders had declared in the 1972 Simla Agreement to treat them as bilateral matters.

Dujarric added, "Secretary General's good officers are always available should both sides agree to it."

Reader Comments

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Rahul K.

It's good to see the UN taking notice of this tragic incident. Justice must be served for the innocent lives lost in Pahalgam. However, as the article mentions, India has always maintained that these matters should remain bilateral. 🇮🇳

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Saima A.

While I appreciate the UN's concern, I wonder if these calls actually lead to any concrete action. Both countries need to find a way to de-escalate tensions before more innocent lives are lost. The Pahalgam attack was heartbreaking 💔

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Amit P.

The UN chief is right about one thing - the world can't afford a confrontation between nuclear powers. But history shows that third-party mediation hasn't worked in the past. Maybe it's time for new approaches to regional peace.

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Nadia Z.

Respectfully, I think the article could have provided more context about the Pahalgam attack itself. Who was behind it? What were the circumstances? Understanding the full picture is crucial for meaningful discussion about justice.

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Karan J.

Tourism in Kashmir has suffered enough due to these tensions. My heart goes out to the families who lost loved ones in this attack. The focus should be on bringing the perpetrators to justice, not political posturing.

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Fatima R.

The Simla Agreement reference is important here. Both countries agreed to handle disputes bilaterally, so while the UN's concern is noted, their involvement should only happen if both sides request it. Complex situation all around. 🤝

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.