UN Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed Saturday’s pronouncements of an end to hostilities between India and Pakistan.
The UN chief’s welcomed this after a decision by the neighbouring nuclear powers to de-escalate a situation that had caused widespread alarm in recent days.
Guterres said the organisation stood ready to support efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability in the South Asian region.
The U.S. had on Saturday brokered a ceasefire deal between the two countries, ending weeks of hostilities between the two nuclear rivals.
Tensions had been steadily raising after a group of gunmen fired on tourists visiting Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, killing at least 26 and injuring scores more.
India and Pakistan both administered parts of the Himalayan region but claimed the territory in its entirety and it had been a scene of unrest for decades.
In the past week, fears grew of an outright military confrontation and the UN expressed deep concerns over deteriorating relations between the two neighbours.
Guterres had told journalists that tensions were higher than they had been in years and reiterated calls for maximum restraint.
On Saturday, however, there were reports of jubilation in both India and Pakistan at news of the ceasefire, which was believed to be the result of talks mediated by the U.S.
Representatives of the U.S., India and Pakistan all announced the ceasefire on social media platforms.
However, there had since been reports of skirmishes, including drone attacks after the ceasefire.
The Secretary-General welcomed the ceasefire agreement as a positive step towards ending current hostilities and easing tensions.
Guterres hoped the agreement would “contribute to lasting peace and foster an environment conducive to addressing broader, longstanding issues between the two countries.”
U.S. Vice President James Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio had since Thursday engaged with senior Indian and Pakistani officials, led by Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Shehbaz Sharif, respectively, to achieve the ceasefire deal.
“I am pleased to announce the Governments of India and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire and to start talks on a broad set of issues at a neutral site.
“We commend Prime Ministers Modi and Sharif on their wisdom, prudence, and statesmanship in choosing the path of peace,” Rubio said in a statement following the ceasefire agreement.
U.S. President Donald Trump hailed the reaching of the ceasefire between India and Pakistan on Saturday following U.S.-led talks to end the most serious military confrontation between the nuclear-armed rivals in decades.
“After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE.
“Congratulations to both Countries on using Common Sense and Great Intelligence. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
