Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Asim Iftikhar Ahmad has urged the UN Security Council to de-escalate Islamabad’s tensions with New Delhi, stating that dialogue is the “only way” to resolve issues between the nuclear-armed nations, state-run media reported on Tuesday.
A special UN Security Council session to discuss surging tensions between Pakistan and India was convened in New York on Monday at Islamabad’s request. The meeting took place as fears of a military confrontation between India and Pakistan loom after ties deteriorated last month following an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 people.
India has accused Pakistan of backing the Apr. 22 attack which took place in Pahalgam, a tourist spot in Indian-administered Kashmir. Islamabad has denied involvement and asked for evidence which New Delhi has so far not publicly shared. Both countries have since exchanged gunfire in Kashmir, taken diplomatic measures against each other, expelled citizens and ordered the border shut.
“Pakistan has urged the United Nations Security Council to take steps to de-escalate tensions in South Asia for global and regional peace,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported.
The state broadcaster said Ahmad told reporters after the session ended that India’s recent steps are a “threat to peace and stability in the region and dialogue is the only way to resolve issues.”
Ahmad informed Security Council members that Pakistan is ready to take part in any independent and neutral investigation into the Pahalgam attack, Radio Pakistan said. He also raised the issue of India suspending the decades-old Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance unilaterally.
