Amid Kashmir crisis, UN says contacts being made at various levels with India, Pakistan

Amid ongoing Kashmir crisis, the UN and its leadership are in contact with India and Pakistan at “various levels”, with Secretary General Antonio Guterres reiterating his appeal to all parties involved to exercise maximum restraint, the UN chief’s spokesperson has said. This came after Pakistan expelled the Indian envoy and downgraded its diplomatic ties.

“Look, there is no reluctance on the part of the Secretary General. We are very well aware and following the situation with a lot of concern. Contacts are being had at various levels, and we urge all of the parties involved to exercise maximum restraint,” Spokesman for the Secretary-General, Stephane Dujarric said.

The spokesperson was responding to a question as to why Secretary General Antonio Guterres is reluctant to take on the issue of India and Pakistan.

When asked again why wouldn’t Guterres engage with the leaders of India and Pakistan, Dujarric said, “I understand. I’ll refer you to the last answer I just gave you.

In response to another question, Dujarric confirmed that the UN has received a letter from Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who wrote to the world body on the Kashmir issue.

“It was received. It will be circulated as a document of the Security Council, as requested, and we’re obviously studying very closely the content of the letter.”

Dujarric again declined to comment on claims that India’s decision to revoke Kashmir’s special status is in violation of UN Security Council resolutions.

“I’m not going to comment any further at this point on the situation, Dujarric said.

India on Tuesday removed part of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution that gave Jammu and Kashmir a significant autonomy. The central government also divided the state in two Union Territories (UTs) - Jammu and Kashmir with its own legislature and Ladakh with legislature.