UN urges India, Pakistan to defuse tensions

UNITED NATIONS: The UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday called on India and Pakistan to take immediate steps to defuse tensions and offered to help broker a solution if both sides agree to UN mediation.

“We are deeply concerned at the escalating tensions between the two countries,” said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric .

"Guterres stresses the importance of both sides to exercise maximum restraint and take immediate steps to de-escalation,” added Dujarric.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had appealed to UN Secretary General to step in to defuse tensions, in a letter. “It is imperative to take steps for de-escalation. The United Nations must step in to defuse tensions,” said the letter sent on Monday and shared by the Foreign Office on Tuesday

Qureshi said: “It is with a sense of urgency that I draw your attention to the deteriorating security situation in our region resulting from the threat of use of force against Pakistan by India.”