New York [US], April 25 (ANI): In the wake of the devastating terror attack in Pahalgam, the United Nations has called on India and Pakistan to show maximum restraint to avoid further escalation of tensions in the region. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is closely monitoring the developments, expressing deep concern over the situation.
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric reaffirmed the global body’s unequivocal condemnation of the attack in Jammu and Kashmir, where 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen were killed in an assault on tourists at Baisaran meadow on April 22. Addressing the media at the daily press briefing on Thursday, Dujarric said, “He (Guterres) is following the situation very closely and with very great concern. We were very clear in our condemnation of the terror attack that occurred in Jammu and Kashmir, which killed a large number of civilians.”
He continued, “We very much appeal to both the government of Pakistan and the government of India to exercise maximum restraint and to ensure that the situation and the developments we have seen do not deteriorate any further. Any issues between Pakistan and India, we believe, can be and should be resolved peacefully through meaningful mutual engagement.”
Guterres had previously issued a statement condemning the Pahalgam attack in the strongest terms, asserting that targeting civilians is “unacceptable under any circumstances.” He also extended heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed in the tragedy.
When asked about India’s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, Dujarric reiterated the UN’s overarching call for de-escalation, stating, “I think this would go under the rubric of us appealing for maximum restraint and not taking any actions that would deteriorate the situation further.”
India, in response to the attack, announced a series of diplomatic and strategic actions, including the suspension of the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Pakistani nationals, the closure of the Integrated Check Post at Attari, and a reduction in the number of officers stationed at High Commissions in both countries. In addition, India declared the Indus Waters Treaty, a long-standing water-sharing agreement, to be held in abeyance.
The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960 after nearly a decade of negotiations facilitated by the World Bank, has long been regarded as one of the most successful international water-sharing accords. The treaty assigns the Eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej) to India and the Western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab) to Pakistan, while also permitting limited use of each other’s allocated rivers.
Despite enduring through multiple episodes of bilateral conflict, the treaty has remained intact for over 60 years, offering a framework for irrigation and hydropower development across the region. It allocates 20 percent of the Indus River System’s waters to India and the remaining 80 percent to Pakistan.
The UN’s plea for calm follows global expressions of solidarity with India and widespread condemnation of the Pahalgam attack. (ANI)
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