United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called on India and Pakistan to exercise "maximum restraint" to avoid further escalation following a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed at least 26 people.
The statement was issued by UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric on Thursday during a daily press briefing at the UN headquarters.
"We very much appeal to both the governments of Pakistan and India to exercise maximum restraint, and to ensure that the situation and the developments we've seen do not deteriorate any further," Dujarric said.
The Secretary-General also reiterated the UN’s condemnation of the attack, which took place in Pahalgam on Tuesday. "We were very clear in our condemnation of the terror attack that occurred in Jammu and Kashmir," he added.
A front organisation of the internationally banned Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba has claimed responsibility for the attack, which targeted a group of mostly tourists.
In the wake of the incident, India expelled Pakistani diplomats, cancelled visas of Pakisatni nationals, and halted bilateral trade. Pakistan responded with similar measures.
"Any issues between Pakistan and India, we believe can be and should be resolved peacefully through meaningful mutual engagement," Dujarric said.
When asked about India’s reported suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, Dujarric said, "This would go under the rubric of us appealing for maximum restraint and not taking any actions that would deteriorate the situation further or increase tensions in a tense area."
He confirmed that Secretary-General Guterres has not had any direct communication with the leaders of India or Pakistan since the attack.
The international community also reacted strongly to the incident. US President Donald Trump posted on X: "The US stands strong with India against terrorism. Prime Minister Modi, and the people of India, have our full support and deepest sympathies."
French President Emmanuel Macron said: "A heinous terrorist attack has struck India. We share the profound sorrow of the victims' families, to whom I extend my heartfelt condolences."
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the attack as "utterly devastating."
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying: "The State of Qatar expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the attack... The Ministry extends its condolences to the families of the victims and to the government and people of India."
