The United Arab Emirates (UAE) played an important role in de-escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan following the dastardly Pulwama terror attack, its Ambassador Ahmed Al Banna said here on Monday.
Speaking at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) here, he made it clear that his country tried to decrease the tension between India and Pakistan using its "special relationship" with the two countries and did not mediate since such a request has to come from both the nations.
"We have played an important role in reducing tensions between India and Pakistan. On the day of a major escalation, our Crown Prince spoke to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan. Our role was to try and sort out differences peacefully," he said.
"India decided what to do for their policy. We did not mediate. It has to be requested by both parties. We tried to decrease the tension by that special relationship," he added.
He said UAE's "role was to give a word of wisdom and try to sort out the differences in a peaceful manner."
Banna asserted that the UAE is against terrorism and terrorists and that "Islam has been hijacked by certain people".
On issues between India and Pakistan, Banna said, "We want peace between the two countries. They need to sit and talk."
Talking about the invitation to India by the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) as a 'Guest of Honour' for the inaugural plenary of its meeting of Foreign Ministers which took place on March 1, the envoy of the host country said, "India is a dear country and very close to us. Due to that special relationship, we decided to invite India.
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