Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the fighting between Indian and Pakistani troops in Kashimir

May 27, 1999

Japan expresses its concern over the tensions heightened due to the larger-scaled exchange of fire between Indian and Pakistani troops on May 26, which had been continued along the Line of Control in the long-disputed Jammu and Kashimir region since early May.
With regard to the Kashmir issue, Japan has urged both countries to exercise restraint and to seek peaceful solution through dialogues. Japan is concerned that the fighting in Kashmir between India and Pakistan, both of which conducted nuclear tests in May last year, could undermine the momentum brought about by the Indo-Pakistan Summit meeting in Lahore in February for the alleviation of tensions, and thus might seriously affect the stability of the South Asian region. Japan calls on both countries to exercise restraint and come to immediate ceasefire.

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