World diplomats at the UN Security Council Monday called for restraint and de-escalation leading to an India-Pakistan dialogue as New Delhi halted river flow to a key Pakistani River in an ominous move.
In a statement made at the Council’s stakeout on the conclusion of the session, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United Nations Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, noted that this (Kashmir) issue remains unresolved after more than seventy years is a stark reminder — conflicts may be ignored but they do not disappear. They deepen.”
“Today the stakes are higher than ever, with escalating rhetoric, military posturing, and provocative actions threatening not just Pakistan, but regional and global peace,” he said as members of met in a closed door session.
Tensions between India and Pakistan further escalated on Monday as Pakistan’s body monitoring the water situation said India had drastically reduced the flow of water to River Chenab, which through its tributaries irrigates large swathes of farming land in Punjab all the way to the Indus River.
The latest standoff between the two nuclear-armed neighbors was triggered by an April 22 terror attack in Indian-occupied Kashmir’s Pahalgam town that killed 26 people.
India alleged a Pakistani link to the attack. On its part, Pakistan categorically rejected the claim and called for a neutral probe.
India’s Prime Minister Naredra Modi granted “operational freedom” to his military chiefs to respond to the attack in disputed Kashmir in whatever way they see fit.
Pakistan’s military has warned of a “swift” response to any misadventure by New Delhi.
On Monday, the Security Council met after more than 5 years to consider the current security dynamic between Pakistan and India and the underlying Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
As regards India’s unilateral suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty — a legally-binding accord brokered by the World Bank and upheld even during wars, the Pakistani envoy said, “Any attempt to disrupt their flow constitutes aggression.”
“Water is life, not a weapon. These rivers sustain over 240 million Pakistanis,” he said.
Ahead of the 15-member body’s meeting, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for “maximum restraint” from India and Pakistan, warning that escalating tensions over a recent terror attack in Kashmir risk spiraling into outright military confrontation.
Addressing journalists outside the Security Council, Guterres expressed deep concern over deteriorating relations and tensionsbetween the two South Asian neighbours, saying they had reached “their highest in years.”
He reiterated his condemnation of the 22 April terror attack in the Pahalgam area of Jammu and Kashmir, which killed at least 26 civilians and injured many more.
“Targeting civilians is unacceptable – and those responsible must be brought to justice through credible and lawful means,” the UN chief said.
“It is also essential – especially at this critical hour – to avoid a military confrontation that could easily spin out of control.”World diplomats at the UN Security Council Monday called for restraint and de-escalation leading to an India-Pakistan dialogue as New Delhi halted river flow to Pakistai River in an ominous move.
In a statement made at the Council’s stakeout on the conclusion of the session, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United Nations Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, noted that this (Kashmir) issue remains unresolved after more than seventy years is a stark reminder — conflicts may be ignored but they do not disappear. They deepen.”
“Today the stakes are higher than ever, with escalating rhetoric, military posturing, and provocative actions threatening not just Pakistan, but regional and global peace,” he said as members of met in a closed door session.
Tensions between India and Pakistan further escalated on Monday as Pakistan’s body monitoring the water situation said India had drastically reduced the flow of water to River Chenab, which through its tributaries irrigats large swathes of farming land in Punjab all the way to the Indus River.
The latest standoff between the two nuclear-armed neighbors was triggered by an April 22 terror attack in Indian-occupied Kashmir’s Pahalgam town that killed 26 people.
India alleged a Pakistani link to the attack. On its part, Pakistan categorically rejected the claim and called for a neutral probe.
India’s Prime Minister Naredra Modi granted “operational freedom” to his military chiefs to respond to the attack in disputed Kashmir in whatever way they see fit.
Pakistan’s military has warned of a “swift” response to any misadventure by New Delhi.
On Monday, the Security Council met after more than 5 years to consider the current security dynamic between Pakistan and India and the underlying Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
As regards India’s unilateral suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty — a legally-binding accord brokered by the World Bank and upheld even during wars, the Pakistani envoy said, “Any attempt to disrupt their flow constitutes aggression.”
“Water is life, not a weapon. These rivers sustain over 240 million Pakistanis,” he said.
Ahead of the 15-member body’s meeting, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for “maximum restraint” from India and Pakistan, warning that escalating tensions over a recent terror attack in Kashmir risk spiraling into outright military confrontation.
Addressing journalists outside the Security Council, Guterres expressed deep concern over deteriorating relations and tensionsbetween the two South Asian neighbours, saying they had reached “their highest in years.”
He reiterated his condemnation of the 22 April terror attack in the Pahalgam area of Jammu and Kashmir, which killed at least 26 civilians and injured many more.
“Targeting civilians is unacceptable – and those responsible must be brought to justice through credible and lawful means,” the UN chief said.
“It is also essential – especially at this critical hour – to avoid a military confrontation that could easily spin out of control.”
