United Nations urges India and Pakistan to exercise ‘maximum restraint’

Question: Did the Secretary-General have any contact with the government of India and Pakistan in the last 24 hours? Because it looks like the situation is escalating.

UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric: He has not had any direct contact, but I can tell you he's obviously following the situation very closely and with very great concern. We were very clear in our condemnation of the terror attack that occurred in Jammu and Kashmir, on the 22nd, two days ago, which killed large number of civilians. But we very much appeal to both the governments of Pakistan and the government of India, to exercise maximum restraint and to ensure that the situation and the developments we've seen do not deteriorate any further. Any issues between Pakistan and India, we believe can be and should be resolved peacefully, through meaningful, mutual engagement. Michelle, then Evelyn.

Question: On that note, does the Secretary-General have anything to say about India suspending the water treaty with Pakistan?

UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric: I think this would go under the rubric of our appeal in, for maximum restraint and not taking any action that would deteriorate the situation further or increase tensions in a tense area. 

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