United Nations, April 29: Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed the importance of pursuing justice in the Pahalgam terrorist attack while speaking with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shebaz Sharif, his Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday. “The Secretary-General also expressed his deep concern at rising tensions between India and Pakistan and underscored the need to avoid a confrontation that could result in tragic consequences,” he said. Pahalgam Terror Attack: PM Narendra Modi Says Indian Armed Forces Have Full Operational Freedom to Decide on Targets, Timing of Response.

Dujarric said the world cannot afford a confrontation between India and Pakistan, which would be catastrophic for those two countries and for the world as a whole. “Guterres has been very clear that he wants to see both sides move towards a de-escalation,” he said, He said that the Secretary-General noted the importance of pursuing justice and accountability for these attacks through lawful means while reiterating his strong condemnation of the terrorist attack. ‘India Must Show We Stand Together Against Terrorism’: Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge Write to PM Narendra Modi for Special Parliament Session To Discuss Pahalgam Terror Attack.

Twenty-six people, mostly tourists, were killed in Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22.  Dujarric added that Guterres offered his good offices to support de-escalation efforts.  However, India has rejected offers of third-party involvement in disputes between the two neighbours as their leaders had declared in the 1972 Simla Agreement to treat them as bilateral matters. Dujarric added, “Secretary General's good officers are always available should both sides agree to it.”

 

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 29, 2025 11:59 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).