NEW YORK, May 06, The United Nations chief Antonio Guterres has
said that Pakistan and India must exert “maximum restraint” as the
Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) expressed “deep concern” over
the deteriorating security environment in South Asia, amid soaring
tensions between India and Pakistan over the Pahalgam attack.
Guterres told reporters in New York that Pakistan-India relations had
reached “a boiling point,” condemning the April 22 attack and calling
for those responsible to be brought to justice through “credible and
lawful means.”
“It is also essential, especially at this critical hour, to avoid a
military confrontation that could easily spin out of control,” he said.
“Now is the time for maximum restraint and stepping back from the brink.
Make no mistake: a military solution is no solution.”
No group has claimed responsibility for the April 22 attack in
Indian-administered Kashmir, where several outfits have waged an
insurgency since 1989.
Pakistan has denied any involvement and called for a credible,
international probe into it as international pressure continues to pile
on both New Delhi and Islamabad to de-escalate.
Separately, the OIC Group in New York, which represents the OIC’s
interests and voice at the UN, expressed its “deep concern” over the
situation in South Asia, exacerbated by India’s “unfounded allegations”
against Pakistan, which it said were “inflaming tensions in an already
volatile region.”
“The OIC Group reiterates its principled position against, and
condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, committed
by whomsoever and wherever; and reaffirms its unequivocal rejection of
all attempts to associate any country, race, religion, culture or
nationality with terrorism,” it said in a statement.
“The Group commends the offer of good offices made by the UN Secretary
General and calls upon the international community, including the United
Nations Security Council and influential states, to take immediate and
credible measures to de-escalate the situation.”
Bitter foes Pakistan and India, which were carved out of the
Subcontinent at the bloody end of British rule in 1947, have fought
multiple wars, including two over Kashmir.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given his military “full
operational freedom” to respond to the Pahalgam attack and Islamabad has
warned it will hit back in kind against any aggression.
Speaking to reporters, Guterres said he was ready to offer his good
offices to both countries to defuse tensions.
“The United Nations stands ready to support any initiative that promotes
de-escalation, diplomacy, and a renewed commitment to peace,” he added