UN chief monitoring deteriorating situation along LoC, stresses Indo-Pak dialogue

UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary-General Antonio Gutteres is following the situation in the disputed Kashmir region as clashes between Indian and Pakistani troops along the Line of Control (LoC) have escalated, and called for talks between the two countries, a UN spokesman said Monday.

Spokesman Stephane Dujarric, who was responding to questions at the regular briefing in New York, said the secretary-general had noted with concern the flare up in the firing incidents over the past ten days and encourages India and Pakistan to resolve the issue through a dialogue.

He also said the UN chief stands ready to mediate peace talks between India and Pakistan provided the two neighbours accept his good offices.

"As a matter of principle, the secretary-general's good offices are always available", he said, but the two sides must agree to his mediation.