NEW DELHI – India vents out frustration against UN Chief visit to Pakistanand Kashmir mediation offer.
New Delhi on Monday rejected an offer by United Nations Secretary AntonioGuterres for mediation on the Kashmir issue between India and Pakistan,pronouncing that the matter will only be discussed bilaterally, reportedlink *The Hindu*.
Guterres, who is on a four-day trip to Pakistan, had last week said inIslamabad that he was “ready to help if both countries agree formediation”. The secretary-general made this statement prior to attending aconference on Afghan Refugees in Islamabad.
The issue [of Jammu and Kashmir] that needs to be addressed is that ofvacation of the territories illegally occupied by another country, RaveeshKumar, spokesperson of the Indian external affairs ministry told the mediain reaction to the statement of the UN chief.
“Further issues, if any, would be discussed bilaterally. There is no roleor scope for third party mediation,” the spokesperson noted. Thespokesperson also stated that the country hoped the UN security-generalwould also ask Pakistan to take credible action against terror.
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The UN secretary-general is also expected to visit Kartarpur Gurdwara tosee the pilgrim corridor which he describes as a, “unique experiment incross-border ties” during his stay in the country.
Commenting on the Kashmir lockdown last week, Guterres had expressed hisdeep concern and suggested both the countries to, “de-escalate, bothmilitarily and verbally” to safeguard peace.
