The European Union (EU) has followed the United Nations to call for diffusing tension that escalated between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the February 14 terror attack at Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir.
Federica Mogherini, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, spoke to Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi over the phone. She asked Qureshi to address terrorism, including clear and sustained actions targeting not only all transnational terrorist groups designated and placed under international sanctions by the United Nations but also individuals claiming responsibility for such attacks.
The Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) claimed responsibility for the killing of over 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel in the February 14 terror attack.
Though the JeM is under UN sanctions since 2011, its leader Masood Azhar is not. India's earlier bids to bring him under UN sanctions were blocked by China.
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Mogherini, who is also the Vice-President of the European Commission, stressed the urgency to de-escalate the situation. She told Qureshi that the EU was also in contact with New Delhi. “The European Union’s policy has always been to promote a dialogue between Pakistan and India to sort out differences,” according to a press release issued by the bloc.
She appreciated the early commitment of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to reach out to India. She highlighted the need to continue addressing terrorism including clear and sustained actions targeting not only all UN-listed transnational terrorist groups but also individuals claiming responsibility for such attacks.
The UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres last week called for de-escalation of tension between India and Pakistan.
