MEDIA STATEMENT ON THE CURRENT TENSION BETWEEN INDIA AND PAKISTAN

Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs

The South African Government is concerned with regard to the tension that has been growing between India and Pakistan since the terrorist attack on the Indian Parliament on 13 December 2001 and urges both governments to exercise restraint by settling all disputes through peaceful means and dialogue.

Good relations between India and Pakistan, who are both members of the Non-Aligned Movement and the Commonwealth, are essential for stability in the Central and South Asia region as a whole and to bring lasting peace to this very important part of the world.

Furthermore, escalating tension and possible conflict in this region could negatively impact on the whole developing world’s capacity to address the real challenges of globalisation and the eradication of poverty and underdevelopment.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT MR RONNIE MAMOEPA

CELL. NO. 082 990 4853