Ready To Discuss India-Pakistan Tensions If Situation Doesn’t De-Escalate: UNSC Chief

<p>Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, the UN Security Council will be seized of the matter and could discuss the situation if such a request is made, President of the Council for the month of May Ambassador Evangelos Sekeris said on Thursday.</p>
<p>”This is an issue which is now ongoing, evolving,” Sekeris said at a press briefing.</p>
<p>Sekeris, who is the Permanent Representative of Greece to the UN, said that the Council had recently issued a press statement condemning the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.&nbsp; “We are listening, of course, we are monitoring closely the situation and will be seized on the matter, of course. This is certain that will happen,” he said.</p>
<p>He added that any act of terrorism is strongly condemned.</p>
<p>”We express our deepest condolences to the Government of India and Nepal and the families of the victims. At the same time, I have to tell you that we are also seriously concerned with the growing bilateral tension in atmosphere which has been evolving between India and Pakistan.&nbsp; “And we are also joining others who are calling for de-escalation and dialogue so that the situation” does not spin out of control, he said, adding that bigger UN member states are already in contact with both sides.&nbsp; He said that the situation “might probably” be discussed in the Council. “If the situation is not de-escalating, calling for an extraordinary meeting of the Security Council is something which can come as a consequence, because it’s actually the main business of Security Council.” he said.</p>
<p>”Plus you have also Pakistan, which is one of the non-permanent members, elected together with Greece…So, as I said before, as a presidency, if such a request comes, we will process it. But we hope, really, that this situation will de-escalate, because it’s two very big member states, and you know it’s a lot of stakes, and let’s hope that those efforts for de-escalation will be helpful. But we are prepared.”&nbsp;</p>
<p><em><strong>(This report has been published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. Apart from the headline, no editing has been done in the copy by ABP Live.)</strong></em></p>