UN Secretary-General offers mediation between Pakistan, India

Islamabad: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, while expressing deep concerns over conflict between Pakistan and India, has offered mediation between both countries for de-escalation. The UN chief spokesman Stephane Dujarric, in response to a question at the regular briefing at UN Headquarters in New York, said his good offices remain available if both sides agree. The spokesman said the Secretary-General has spoken to Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and that he is also in contact with India. He said the UN Chief has appealed to both sides to urgently take steps to lower tension through meaningful mutual engagement and meet their responsibilities to maintain peace and stability in the region. Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu categorically maintained to support Pakistan in case war breaks out with India, however offered mediation to eliminate Indo-Pak tensions. Moreover, Canada has urged both India and Pakistan to not use military to prevent the situation from further deterioration.