UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday welcomedPrime Minister Imran Khan’s decision to release the captured Indian fighterpilot in what was seen as an effort to deescalate the gravest crisisbetween the two countries in years.
“The report of the release of the Indian pilot by the Pakistani authoritieswould be very much a welcome step,” UN chief’s spokesperson StephaneDujarric said in response to a question at a regular briefing at the UnitedNations’ headquarters in New York.
The Indian pilot, whose was plane was downed by Pakistan Air Force (PAF)jets on Wednesday, was then taken into custody.
“We would encourage both parties to do whatever they can to deescalate thesituation and this is the message that has been passed on by the UnitedNations and, I think, by the international community as a whole,” thespokesperson added.
Dujarric said Guterres was in touch with both India and Pakistan at variouslevels.
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Meanwhile, UN General Assembly (UNGA) President Maria Espinosa, who visitedPakistan recently, also expressed concern over the situation and urged thetwo neighbouring countries to resolve their disputes through dialogue.
Her spokesperson said Espinosa believes diplomatic negotiations providedthe best means to settle problems.
