UN chief's hammerblow to Pakistan: 'Resolve Kashmir via dialogue'

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, who has h contacts with leership in India and Pakistan, remains very concerned about any potential escalation between two countries over Kashmir and appeals to both sides to deal with issue through dialogue, his spokesperson said.

Guterres met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on sidelines of G7 Summit last month in Biarritz, France and has also spoken to Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, UN chief's spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said at a daily press briefing in United Nations on September 10.

On September 9, Guterres also met with Permanent Representative of Pakistan to UN Maleeha Lodhi on her request over Kashmir issue.

His mess to all of m has been same, both publicly and privately, that he remains very concerned about any potential escalation between India and Pakistan over situation. He appeals to both sides to deal with issue through dialogue, Dujarric said.

Dujarric was responding to a question on wher Guterres plans to mediate between India and Pakistan on Kashmir during UN General Assembly session later this month which would be attended by both Modi and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan.

RE | India Stands With Afghanistan, Lambastes Pak's Terror Backing At UN

You kw, position our position on mediation has, as a matter of principle, has always remained same, Dujarric said.

His comments came as India and Pakistan clashed at 42nd session of United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva over Kashmir issue.

UN chief has maintained that his good offices are available only if both sides ask for it. However, India has me it clear to international community that Kashmir issue is an internal matter and re is need for a third-party mediation.

And, as was said by High Commissioner for Human Rights recently, situation in Kashmir can only be solved with full respect of human rights, Dujarric said.

Pakistan downgred its diplomatic relations with India and expelled Indian high commissioner following revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir on August 5.

India has categorically told international community that scrapping of Article 370 was an internal matter and also vised Pakistan to accept reality. 

RE | Dilbag Singh, J&K DGP Calls Out Pakistan's Social Media Propaganda