The United Nations has called on India and Pakistan to exercise maximum restraint following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives, including a Nepali national.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres is “following the situation very closely and with very great concern,” said UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric during a daily press briefing on Thursday.
“We were very clear in our condemnation of the terror attack that occurred in Jammu and Kashmir, which killed a large number of civilians. But 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,” said Dujarric.
He added, “Any issues between Pakistan and India, we believe, can be and should be resolved peacefully through meaningful mutual engagement.”
The Secretary-General had earlier issued a statement condemning the attack, calling the targeting of civilians “unacceptable under any circumstances”.
“Guterres extends his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families,” said Dujarric. “Attacks against civilians are unacceptable under any circumstances.”
Responding to a question on India’s decision to suspend water sharing arrangements with Pakistan, Dujarric remarked, “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.”
The Pahalgam attack, which took place on 22 April, targeted tourists at the Baisaran meadow. The assailants killed 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, leaving several others injured.
In the wake of the attack, the Indian government announced a slew of diplomatic measures. These included the closure of the Integrated Check Post at Attari, suspension of the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Pakistani nationals, and a directive for Pakistani nationals to return home within 40 hours. Additionally, the number of diplomatic officers posted in High Commissions on both sides has been reduced.
Among the more significant measures was the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, a landmark agreement signed in 1960 after nine years of negotiations between India and Pakistan, with the World Bank acting as broker and signatory.
The treaty, considered one of the most successful international water-sharing arrangements, has withstood decades of conflict and tensions. It allocates the Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) to Pakistan and the Eastern Rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) to India. Each country is permitted limited usage of the rivers assigned to the other.
Under its provisions, India receives 20 per cent of the Indus River System’s water, while Pakistan is allocated the remaining 80 per cent.
With the region once again on edge, the UN has reiterated the importance of 'dialogue and diplomatic' engagement to prevent further escalation.
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