India on Sunday rejected United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres’ offer to mediate on Jammu and Kashmir, reported PTI. Hours afte...
India on Sunday rejected United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres’ offer to mediate on Jammu and Kashmir, reported PTI. Hours after the UN chief, who is on a visit to Pakistan, said he was “deeply concerned” and was ready to help if India and Pakistan agreed, New Delhi underlined that there was “no role or scope for third party mediation” on the Kashmir matter.
“India’s position has not changed,” said External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar. “Jammu and Kashmir has been, is, and will continue to be an integral part of India. The issue that needs to be addressed is that of vacation of the territories illegally and forcibly occupied by Pakistan. Further issues, if any, would be discussed bilaterally. There is no role or scope for third party mediation.”
Kumar added that New Delhi hoped the UN secretary general would stress on the imperative for Pakistan to end the “cross-border terrorism” against India. He said “cross-border terrorism” threatens the most fundamental human right – the right to life of the people of India, including in Jammu and Kashmir.
Earlier in the day, Guterres said it was important for India and Pakistan to de-escalate “militarily and verbally” and exercise “maximum restraint”. He addressed a press conference...
