We played important role in reducing Indo-Pak tensions: UAE envoy

The UAE on Monday said its played an important role in reducing the recent Indo-Pak tensions by giving "words of wisdom" to the leadership in both countries for sorting out differences in a peaceful manner.

Ambassador Ahmed Al Banna, however, clarified that the United Arab Emirates did not mediate between the two countries and that the aim of its efforts was to decrease the tensions which had spiralled in the wake of the air strike by Indian jets at a JeM terror camp in Balakot, Pakistan, post Pulwama terror attack.

Referring to Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and deputy commander of the armed forces Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan's telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan at the peak of tensions between the two neighbours, the UAE envoy, while speaking at an interaction at IIT-Delhi, said,"We played an important role in reducing the (Indo-Pak) tensions that took place."
On whether the UAE had successfully mediated in reducing Indo-Pak tensions, Al Banna said: "We did not mediate. When you talk about mediation there has to be a request from both parties. We tried to decrease tensions by using our special relationship (with the two countries)."
Asked if the UAE had given any message to Pakistan on terror sanctuaries, Al Banna said: "Without mentioning any specific person, name or country, the UAE has a long standing (position of) preventing, fighting act of terrorism and those radical organisations, so we work with all partners in the region to make our region a peaceful region."