UN Secretary-General António Guterres urges India and Pakistan to de-escalate rising tensions amid border attacks, as global diplomacy intensifies with interventions from the US, Iran, and Saudi Arabia.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for maximum restraint from both India and Pakistan as tensions escalate along their borders. In a statement issued by his Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq on Thursday, Guterres emphasized the urgent need to de-escalate the situation and reiterated his offer to mediate if needed.
“Certainly, we encourage all efforts to de-escalate the situation and encourage both India and Pakistan to exercise maximum restraint,” Haq stated during a press briefing.
The statement came as border hostilities reportedly intensified, with Pakistan extending its aerial attacks beyond the Line of Control (LoC) to target other Indian territories. According to Indian defence officials, several military installations near the western border, including in Jammu and Udhampur, were targeted in drone and missile attacks by Pakistan on Thursday night. The attempted strikes led to widespread blackouts and air raid sirens in Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, and Rajasthan. Indian authorities swiftly activated emergency protocols and advised citizens to stay indoors and alert.
India’s air defence systems successfully intercepted and neutralized multiple incoming threats, preventing damage and casualties. In a statement from the Integrated Defence Staff, it was confirmed that the Indian military installations remained unharmed, and no civilian injuries were reported. Drones launched near Jammu airport were among those taken down by Indian defence forces.
In response, India has reportedly initiated retaliatory measures, though specifics remain under wraps.
Amid the escalating conflict, diplomatic channels have been activated globally in a bid to prevent further deterioration. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio engaged in talks with Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Simultaneously, high-level envoys from Iran and Saudi Arabia — Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir — were in New Delhi on diplomatic missions, signaling a concerted international effort to mediate.
Farhan Haq echoed the Secretary-General’s concern, saying, “The world cannot afford another conflict between India and Pakistan.” Guterres’ offer to use his “good offices” to help bring both sides to the table remains open, as the UN continues to monitor developments closely.
With tensions flaring and regional stability at stake, the international community is watching closely. Diplomatic engagement appears to be gaining momentum, but the situation on the ground remains volatile and fraught with the risk of miscalculation.
