UNITED NATIONS (DNA) – United Nations has maintained its stance on the Kashmir dispute between Pakistan and India, and has been following the situation in Jammu and Kashmir “with concern” while appealing both sides to exercise “maximum restraint”.

According to a statement issued by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on August 8: “The position of the United Nations on this region is governed by the Charter…and applicable Security Council resolutions”, said the statement. “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 UN Charter.

Yesterday, the UN Security Council members met for 90 minutes amid heightened tensions in the disputed Himalayan region, which has long been a flashpoint between India and Pakistan – the nuclear-armed arch rivals, which have fought two of their three wars over the disputed territory.

The 15-nation body heard briefings from Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, the UN’s assistant secretary-general for peacebuilding support, and Carlos Humberto Loitey, the UN military adviser for peacekeeping operations.

Pakistan requested the Security Council meeting in a letter on August 13 and it was subsequently called for by permanent member China.

India has been oppressing the people of Kashmir, killing tens of thousands of innocent people and children over several decades.

After the meeting, Ambassador Zhang said Council members had “expressed their serious concern” concerning the current situation in Jammu and Kashmir…The Kashmir issue should be resolved properly through peaceful means, in accordance with the UN Charter, the relevant Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements.”

He urged both India and Pakistan to “refrain from taking any unilateral action which might further aggravate” what was an already “tense and very dangerous” situation.

The Security Council met to consider the volatile situation surrounding Kashmir on Friday, addressing the issue directly within the UN body dedicated to resolving matters of international peace and security, for the first time since 1965.