China's Wang Yi has backed Pakistan's call for an independent probe into the recent attack in Kashmir. Meanwhile, India said troops from both sides exchanged fire for the fourth night in a row. DW rounds up the latest.
It follows last month’s terror attack in the Pahalgam area of Jammu and Kashmir. Both countries administer parts of the territory but claim it in full.
Guterres, speaking outside the Security Council at UN Headquarters in New York City on Monday, warned that tensions between India and Pakistan “are at their highest in years.”
He added: “I deeply respect and am profoundly grateful to the government and people of both countries — and their significant contributions to the work of the UN, not least UN peacekeeping.
“And so it pains me to see relations reaching a boiling point.” The Indian government today will carry out a nationwide civil defense drill to simulate an attack on its territory.Pakistan on Saturday test-fired a ballistic missile with a range of 450 km.
Guterres called on the two countries to “step back from the brink,” and warned that a “military solution is no solution.”He said: “I understand the raw feelings following the awful terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22.
“I once again strongly condemn that attack and extend my condolences to the families of the victims.“Targeting civilians is unacceptable — and those responsible must be brought to justice through credible and lawful means.
“It is also essential — especially at this critical hour — to avoid a military confrontation that could easily spin out of control.“Now is the time for maximum restraint and stepping back from the brink.
The UN Security Council met on Monday in a closed-door session to discuss the tensions.
Guterres pledged to support “any initiative that promotes de-escalation, diplomacy and a renewed commitment to peace.”
China's Foreign Ministry on Monday made a statement asking India and Pakistan to exercise restraint.
"China hopes that the two sides will exercise restraint, meet each other halfway, properly handle relevant differences through dialogue and consultation and jointly maintain regional peace and stability," Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said.
Beijing gave its support on Sunday to Pakistan's calls for an independent investigation into the recent attack on tourists in the Indian-administered part of Kashmir.
The "denial of Kashmiri self-determination" lies at the core of the conflict between India and Pakistan, Natasha Raheja, a political anthropologist at Cornell University told DW.
"At the core of this dispute is an ongoing struggle and denial of Kashmiri self-determination. This is a region that has been besieged by a history of colonial borders that were drawn in haste as well as hasty princely state accessions," she said, adding that there was an escalation of a "nationalist rhetoric" this time.
According to Raheja, both countries "have a history of leveraging their minoritized populations against each other."
"Kashmiri people are suffering and their voices are being overshadowed by the military showmanship at the border."
As for a solution to the conflict, Raheja believes it will be the people's own questioning of their borders which could lead to progress.
"People across borders must work together and they must question the work that these borders do."
The US State Department on Sunday said it was in touch with India and Pakistan, and wanted them to work towards a "responsible solution" as tensions stayed high between the two neighbors after the recent attack in Kashmir.
"This is an evolving situation and we are monitoring developments closely. We have been in touch with the governments of India and Pakistan at multiple levels. The United States encourages all parties to work together towards a responsible resolution," a US State Department spokesperson told Reuters news agency.
The US has expressed its support to India after the attack, which New Delhi blames on Pakistan. Islamabad has denied any responsibility and called for a neutral investigation.
India and Pakistan are both important strategic partners for the US amid China's rising influence.
