United Nations: UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called for a "direct dialogue" between India and Pakistan to ease tensions between the two neighbours.
"We're always following the developments in that part of the world very closely, and the Secretary-General will continue to encourage direct dialogue between Pakistan and India as a way to de-escalate any tensions that may exist," Ban's spokesman Stephane Dujarric told the media on Monday when asked about the continued tensions between Indian and Pakistan.
UN’s statement comes barely a week after the anticipated NSA level talks between the two countries were cancelled. The UN Chief had expressed regret over the calling-off of the meet, which was to take place on August 23-24 between Sartaj Aziz and Ajit Kumar Doval. Ban ki-moon said he hopes that the National Security Advisors of India and Pakistan will use "all opportunities" to resume talks as soon as possible.
When asked about the civilian casualties on both sides and the UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan being aware of the situation, Dujarric said he had seen the reports and was waiting for some guidance on these latest incidents. Last week, three persons were killed and 17 others were injured when Pakistani Rangers heavily shelled civilian areas and Army posts along the International Border in R S Pura and Arnia sectors of Jammu district on Friday, drawing retaliation from the BSF.
