UN chief following India-Pakistan border situation in J-K, encourages dialogue

The United Nations said on Monday secretary-general Antonio Guterres is following the India-Pakistan border crossfire closely and wants both nations to hold dialogue.

Asked at the daily UN briefing about the crossfire, Guterres’ spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said: “We are obviously aware. We are following this -- what is really going on for the last ten days. And again the secretary-general would encourage both sides to address any outstanding issues through dialogue.”

When a reporter asked why Guterres was not getting involved in trying to find a solution to the “crisis”, Djuarric replied that while the good offices of Guterres are available, “everyone needs to agree on involving the UN. And that is true of any mediation effort”.

India is opposed to any third party involvement in issues with Pakistan and maintains that according to the 1972 Shimla agreement between then prime minister Indira Gandhi and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, former president of Pakistan, the Kashmir problem is a bilateral issue and the two countries should directly deal with it.

Twelve people have been killed in ceasefire violations from the Pakistani side since Wednesday. A civilian was killed on Sunday in the latest incident, according to Indian officials. Three of those killed were army personnel and two belonged to the Border Security Force.

Reports said Pakistan has also suffered casualties in the crossfire.