UN secretary general Antonio Guterres, who has had contacts with the leadership in India and Pakistan, was “very concerned about any potential escalation” between the two countries over Kashmir and “appeals to both sides to deal with the issue through dialogue”, his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, said. Guterres met PM Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G7 Summit last month in Biarritz and had also spoken to Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi. Guterres also met Maleeha Lodhi, the permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, on her request over the Kashmir issue.
“His message to all of them has been the same, both publicly and privately, that he remains very concerned about any potential escalation between India and Pakistan over the situation. He appeals to both sides to deal with the issue through dialogue,” Dujarric said.
Our position unchanged: UN
Antonio Guterres was responding to a question on whether he plans to mediate between India and Pakistan on Kashmir during the UN General Assembly session later this month which would be attended by both Modi and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. “You know, the position… our position on mediation has, as a matter of principle, has always remained the same,” Dujarric said. His comments came as India and Pakistan clashed at the 42nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva over the Kashmir issue.
The UN chief has maintained that his good offices are available only if both sides ask for it. However, India has made it clear to the international community that the Kashmir issue is an internal matter and there is no need for a third-party mediation. “And, as was said by the High Commissioner for Human Rights recently, the situation in Kashmir can only be solved with the full respect of human rights,” Dujarric said. Pakistan downgraded its diplomatic relations with India and expelled the Indian high commissioner following the revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. India has categorically told the international community that the scrapping of Article 370 was an internal matter and also advised Pakistan to accept the reality.
Won’t accept any interference
Responding to Pakistan’s call for an international investigation into its allegation of human rights violations in J&K, MEA’s secretary (east) Vijay Thakur Singh called it a fabricated narrative which was coming from the epicentre of global terrorism, where ring leaders were sheltered for years. Without naming Pakistan, Singh said one delegation had given a “running commentary'' with offensive rhetoric of false allegations and concocted charges against India, as she underlined that curbs in J&K were temporary and meant to check cross-border terrorism.
She took on Pakistan’s attack over recent decisions regarding the status of J&K. “These decisions were taken by our Parliament after a full debate that was televised and enjoyed widespread support. We wish to reiterate that this sovereign decision, like other legislations passed by Parliament, is entirely internal to India. No country can accept interference in its internal affairs, certainly not India,” Singh said.
Earlier in the session, Pakistani foreign minister Qureshi demanded an international investigation by the UNHRC into the situation in Kashmir and urged the world rights body not to remain “indifferent” after India revoked J&K’s special status. Qureshi asked the council to urge India to immediately stop the use of pellet guns, lift the curfew, reverse the clampdown and communications blackout, restore fundamental freedoms and liberties, release political prisoners and fulfil obligations under the UN Security Council resolutions and various human rights instruments. “Today, I have knocked on the doors of the Human Rights Council, the repository of the world’s conscience on human rights, to seek justice and respect for the people of Kashmir,” he said.
The back-and-forth between the hostile neighbours over J&K dominated the session, potentially setting the stage for a bigger showdown later this month when Modi and Khan will address the UNGA. India rebutted Pakistan’s allegations also while exercising its right to reply by fielding an officer who belongs to J&K, first secretary with India’s permanent mission in Geneva.
MEA first secretary Vimarsh Aryan questioned Pakistan’s locus to criticise India’s recent decisions on J&K, contending that Article 370 was a temporary provision. The official also said OIC, which too has been talking about alleged Indian atrocities, had no locus standi on the issue and J&K would remain an integral part of India.
Calling out Pakistan for its “false narrative”, Aryan said Pakistan’s was an ill-disguised effort to advance its territorial ambitions and that terrorism was the worst form of human rights abuse. Probably unsure of support from the 47-member council, Pakistan has not yet pressed for a resolution on the issue.
