"He (the UN chief) is watching the situation very closely and reiterates the need for the parties to find a peaceful solution through engagement and dialogue," the secretary-general's spokesman, Stephane Dujarric told reporters at the regular noon briefing at UN Headquarters in New York on Tuesday.

Asked why the UN chief was reluctant to talk about the festering Kashmir dispute that had drawn India and Pakistan close to another conflict, the spokesman said, "I don't think it is a matter of reluctance."

He said the secretary-general was aware of the developments and was keeping a watch on the situation. "The Secretary-General is a student of history, he knows what has happened," the spokesman added.