United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has engaged in urgent diplomacy amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, holding separate telephone calls with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Wednesday.
The outreach came in the wake of a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, which claimed the lives of 26 individuals, primarily tourists, and has escalated tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
UN Condemns Pahalgam Attack, Offers Mediation:
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric confirmed the conversations and said Secretary-General Guterres had “strongly condemned the Pahalgam attack” and expressed “deep concern over the rising tensions” between India and Pakistan.
“The Secretary-General emphasized the need for accountability through lawful means and reiterated the UN’s willingness to offer its good offices to assist in de-escalation efforts,” Dujarric stated.
Pakistan Claims Imminent Indian Strike:
The diplomatic push follows serious allegations by Pakistan, which claims it has credible intelligence suggesting that India may launch a military strike within the next 24 to 36 hours.
Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar posted on social media platform X:
“India intends to carry out military action against Pakistan on the pretext of concocted allegations linked to the Pahalgam incident.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed his call with Guterres, stating on X:
“I reaffirmed Pakistan’s condemnation of terrorism in all forms, rejected India’s baseless allegations, and called for a neutral investigation into the Pahalgam attack.”
He also urged the UN to play a more active role in resolving the Kashmir issue in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions.
“Pakistan remains committed to peace, but will defend its sovereignty with full force if challenged,” Sharif added.
India Emphasizes Justice, Remains Silent on Strike Allegations:
On the other side, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar also acknowledged his conversation with the UN chief.
“Appreciate his unequivocal condemnation of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. Agreed on the importance of accountability,” Jaishankar wrote.
“India is resolved that the perpetrators, planners, and backers of this attack are brought to justice.”
While New Delhi has not officially responded to Pakistan’s claims of an imminent strike, Indian officials maintain that the attack was the work of militants backed from across the border. No official military threat has been confirmed by India as of now.
Global Concerns Over Escalation:
Diplomatic analysts have compared the current rhetoric to the Pulwama-Balakot escalation in 2019, which brought the two countries dangerously close to full-scale conflict. The latest developments have triggered alarm at the international level, with the UN now visibly attempting to mediate or contain tensions.
Despite the offer of UN “good offices,” it remains uncertain whether either side will engage in formal de-escalation mechanisms, especially amid political pressures and public sentiment.
