UN General Assembly president Maria Fernanda Espinosa isfollowing with “great concern” the situation between India and Pakistan andcalls on both sides to seek dialogue to avoid an escalation of tensions, herspokesperson said Friday.
Espinosa’s spokesperson Monica Grayley said the UNGApresident stresses that the use of “diplomatic means is basically the best wayto settle political differences, to settle political disputes” and hopes thatthe relevant parties can resolve the current situation through peaceful means.
Espinosa, who had visited India before assuming office lastyear and had made a trip to Pakistan in January this year, “asks for both sidesright now to seek dialogue to avoid an escalation of tensions but also to avoidfurther tragic loss of life,” Grayley said.
Former UN deputy secretary-general and foreign minister ofSweden, Jan Eliasson, tweeted that the conflict between India and Pakistan is”potentially suicidal. Heavy responsibility on their leaders to calm down andde-escalate the situation and to open up to diplomacy and backchannel contacts.Such efforts should be strongly supported by the outside world. The fuse isshort.”
The Elders, a group of independent leaders founded by lateSouth African president, also called on the leaders of India and Pakistan totake urgent steps to defuse military and political tensions and to refrain fromfurther “bellicose rhetoric” and pursue a path of meaningful dialogue.