New York
The United Nations’ Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, highlighted the escalating tensions in South Asia — a reference to the ongoing Indo-Pakistan confrontation over New Delhi’s annexation of Kashmir — and called for dialogue to resolve the crisis in his opening remarks on Tuesday at the UN General Assembly’s 74th session.
“Tensions are elevated in South Asia, where differences need to be addressed through dialogue,” the UN boss told world leaders attending the UNGA’s high-level session as he assessed the international situation in his annual report on the organisation’s work.
India had illegally abolished occupied Kashmir’s special status on August 5, unleashing a brutal crackdown — comprising curfews, communications and Internet blackout, and arrests of thousands of people — and putting local political leaders under house arrest. The lockdown, as of reporting time, has entered its 51st consecutive day.
In his speech, however, Guterres noted that on the global landscape, he was observing persisting conflicts, a spread of terrorism, and the risk of a new arms race growing.
“Outside interference, often in violation of Security Council resolutions, makes peace processes more difficult”, he said. “Many situations remain unresolved, Yemen to pakistan and beyond..—APP
