NEW YORK: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday called on Pakistan and India to maintain the “positive momentum” generated after Pakistani authorities released captured Indian fighter pilot Abhinandan Varthaman.

Guterres also urged the two neighbouring nations to hold talks to de-escalate the tensions between them, saying his “good offices remain available should both sides agree”, his deputy spokesperson, Farhan Aziz Haq, said in a statement.