New York: UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric emphasized that UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is keeping a close eye on the situation with great concern in the wake of the Pahalgam terror assault.

He urged India and Pakistan to use the utmost prudence in order to avoid further escalation and reaffirmed the UN’s strong condemnation of the terrorist act in Jammu and Kashmir.

He emphasized that genuine mutual engagement should be used to amicably address any disputes between the two countries.

“He (Antonio Guterres) is following the situation very closely and with very great concern,” Dujarric said Thursday at a regular news conference.

The horrific incident that took place in Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed many innocent lives, was categorically condemned by us. However, we strongly urge the governments of India and Pakistan to use the utmost caution and make sure that the current state of affairs and the events we have seen do not worsen further. We think that genuine mutual engagement can and should be used to amicably address any disputes between India and Pakistan.

Notably, Guterres had emphasized that attacking people is never acceptable and had harshly denounced the horrific terrorist incident in Pahalgam.

Additionally, the Secretary-General sent his sincere sympathies to the victims’ families. UN Spokesman Antonio Guterres vehemently denounced the incident in Jammu and Kashmir in a statement. In response to questions, Dujarric emphasized that the assault was condemned by the Secretary-General.

“Guterres extends his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families,” Dujarric stated, emphasizing “that attacks against civilians are unacceptable under any circumstances.”

Dujarric said, “I think this would go under the rubric of us appealing for maximum restraint and not taking any actions that would deteriorate the situation further…” when asked whether the Secretary General had any thoughts about India stopping the water with Pakistan.

Following the terror attack, the Central government announced several diplomatic actions, including closing the Integrated Check Post (ICP) in Attari, suspending Pakistani nationals’ access to the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES), allowing them to return to their country within 40 hours, and lowering the number of officers in both sides’ High Commissions.

Following the Pahalgam assault, India also terminated the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty. On April 22, terrorists assaulted visitors in Pahalgam’s Baisaran Meadow, killing 25 Indians and one Nepali while injuring several others.

With the help of the World Bank, which is also a party to the pact, India and Pakistan negotiated the Indus Waters pact for nine years before signing it in 1960. Former World Bank president Eugene Black started the negotiations.

Despite facing numerous challenges, such as violence, this international accord remains highly effective. For more than 50 years, it has offered a foundation for the growth of hydropower and irrigation.

The Treaty gives India control over the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej) and Pakistan control over the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab). The Treaty also allows each nation to utilize its allocated rivers in specific ways. According to the pact, India would get 20% of the water from the Indus River System, while Pakistan would receive the remaining 80%.