US Senator calls for UN participation over ceasefire issue

Expressing concern over the ongoing ceasefire violations which have claimed lives of both civilians and security personnel, United States Senator Tim Kaine on Thursday called for a need for the United Nations (UN) to participate in discussions over this issue.

"I think sometimes that the UN can be a helpful participant in the discussion related to ceasefire. The United Nation Secretary General's comments about that would be appropriate. Right role or necessity of how deep the UN needs to engage I haven't thought through, but as promoter of peaceful resolution of disputes the UN does a good job and in that sense their participation should be welcomed," Kaine, who is currently on a five day visit to India, told ANI here.

"With a great deal of concern the civilian deaths are very-very troubling under any circumstance but deaths of military as well are something where there should be a ceasefire that holds. We don't want to see deaths of military personnel either, so this is a very troubling thing," he added.

He also called for the de-escalation of the problem while adding that the United States always tries to promote better behavior and would continue to do that.

Kaine also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's saying that everything will be fine soon, with regard to the constant ceasefire violations. Kaine said that such comments are not sugar coating but actual ones that leaders make to try to bring assurances to the civilian population.