UN chief appeals for 'maximum restraint' in Kashmir

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday called on India and Pakistan "to refrain from taking steps that could affect the status of Jammu and Kashmir". "The Secretary-General has been following the situation in Jammu and Kashmir with concern and makes an appeal for maximum restraint," Spokesman for the Secretary-General, Stephane Dujarric, said.

He said the "position of the United Nations on this region is governed by the Charter of the United Nations and applicable Security Council resolutions." "The Secretary-General also recalls the 1972 Agreement on bilateral relations between India and Pakistan, also known as the Simla Agreement, which states that the final status of Jammu and Kashmir is to be settled by peaceful means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations," Dujarric said in the daily press briefing.

He said the Secretary-General is also concerned over reports of restrictions in Kashmir. "The Secretary-General calls on all parties to refrain from taking steps that could affect the status of Jammu and Kashmir," he said.

Earlier this week, India revoked Article 370 to withdraw the special status to Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated the region into two Union Territories -- Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh. Pakistan termed the Indian action as "unilateral and illegal", and said it will take the matter to the UN Security Council.

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