'Guterres likely to raise Kashmir at UNGA discussions'

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres may use the opportunity of the General Assembly discussions to raise the Kashmir issue, his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Thursday.

Replying to a reporter's question, Dujarric said: "On Kashmir, the Secretary General said previously he remains engaged. I think he will also use the opportunity of discussions during the General Assembly to raise it."

It was not immediately clear if Dujarric meant that Guterres would raise it private discussions with Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Imran Khan or in public discussions.

He also reiterated previous statements calling for dialogue between India and Pakistan.

Dujarric said that Guterres "has also underscored the need for dialogue as the only way to resolve the issue and as part of the solution for the current crisis in Kashmir".

He wants "to make sure that the human rights aspects are very much dealt with as well."IANS