India, Pakistan should resume dialogue for resolution of issues, Ban Ki-Moon says

NEW DELHI: On the back of frequent cross-border fire in Jammu & Kashmir in recent months, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has suggested that dialogue between India and Pakistan should continue for both countries to find a "long standing solution".

"I am concerned about what has happened in that area in Jammu & Kashmir. We have seen loss of lives along the Line of Control. I have suggested and strongly recommended to the Prime Minister and foreign minister that there should be continuing dialogue so this can be resolved as soon as possible," said Ban Ki-Moon in an exclusive conversation with TOI.

Wrapping up a visit to India which he said holds a special place in his heart, Ban highlighted the dangers of growing terrorism and extremism in different parts of the world. "It's a very dangerous situation because somehow extremists continue to propagate hate through social media and internet."

"It's most important at this time that international community should be united. At the same time, we should educate people, have some campaigns to let the people know that it's important to respect other's religions, faith and traditions. If my religion is important to me, it should be equally important for others."

Ban said terrorist acts against freedom of expression are "totally unacceptable." "This was a strong wake-up call for the international community. It was a strong expression of solidarity. National governments have a responsibility that all these perpetrators should be brought to justice. There should be no place for them to hide."

Commenting on the fact that Syria, Iraq and Libya are becoming ungoverned spaces that's a fertile ground for extremism, Ban said, "Terrorist group ISIL/ Daesh have committed unspeakable brutality against humanity. We should clearly understand that terrorism was not the cause of the Syrian crisis. It's the consequence of the Syrian crisis. Why has that crisis not been resolved?"

A UN effort to convene a meeting of the parties concerned didn't get very far, the UNSG said. "My special envoy Steffan de Mistura has proposed a ceasefire in Aleppo, so that that we can provide humanitarian assistance to people. The ceasefire proposal is not a substitute to any eventual solution. It's a first step, trying to expand the political space."

Recalling his conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Gujarat, Ban said, "India takes a critically important place in UN ... for peace and security not only in South Asia but globally. It's a generous contributor to UN peacekeeping and policing missions. India has unfortunately lost about 158 of its brave men in these missions."

He pushed India to play a larger role in the forthcoming climate change talks. "India plays a very importance role in promoting sustainable development, and in the ongoing negotiations for the climate change agreement. We have to have a universal meaningful agreement on climate change in December this year."

As one of the largest contributors to the UN's peacekeeping missions, India has demanded a greater role in operational decisions. Ban said, "I had good meetings with the foreign and defence ministers, on how we can improve operational capacity of all peacekeeping. Yesterday (Monday), when I met the defence minister, I requested the Indian government for critical assets like helicopters, attack helicopters. I'm very encouraged by their positive response."

While the UN Security Council debates and takes the final call on issues of peace and security, two of the P-5 members (China and Russia) are currently embroiled in territorial disputes (South China Sea and Ukraine). How does the UN deal with that? Acknowledging the conundrum, the top UN official said, "If the border disputes have implications that would threaten international peace and security, I believe that the Security Council may intervene on such issues. What is more desirable is that all the disputes should be resolved through dialogue between the parties before such issues have implications for international peace and security."