United Nations: A spokesperson for United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has declined to comment on claims that scrapping of Jammu and Kashmir's special status by India is in violation of the Security Council resolutions, reiterating only that the UN chief is following the developments in the region with concern.
The central government on Monday revoked Article 370 of the Constitution that gave special status to the state and bifurcated it into two Union Territories — Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
"We said very clearly that we are following the developments in the region with concern. The Secretary General's position at this point is to urge all parties to exercise restraint," spokesperson for the Secretary-General, Stephane Dujarric, said at a daily press briefing on Tuesday.
Dujarric was asked if Guterres believed India's decision to revoke Kashmir's special status is a violation of the UN resolutions. When pressed again, he said, "No, no, I understand what you asked, but unfortunately, at this point, you'll have to settle for that as my answer."
When asked if the Secretary General has received a letter from Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on the issue, Dujarric said he is aware of the press reports that the letter has been sent. "As of a short while ago, we were not able to confirm that the letter had actually been received. Obviously, once it is, it will be looked at and studied and acknowledged," he said.
Guterres on Monday said he was following "with concern" the tense situation in the region and urged India and Pakistan to exercise restraint.
Answering another question on whether Guterres intends to play a role in resolving the issue, Dujarric said, "We are very concerned about the rise in tensions."
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