ISLAMABAD: World leaders on Wednesday urged restraint and pressed for a peaceful resolution after India launched missile strikes in Pakistan, triggering retaliatory attacks and raising fears of a broader military confrontation between the nuclear-armed neighbors.
The international reaction came as tensions soared following Indian attacks on six locations inside Pakistan, which Islamabad said killed at least 26 civilians and injured 46.
In response, Pakistan claimed to have downed five Indian fighter jets and struck Indian military posts along the Line of Control.
UNITED STATES
US President Donald Trump condemned the escalation, expressing hope that the fighting would end quickly.
“It’s a shame,” he said. “Just heard about it. I guess people knew something was going to happen based on a little bit of the past. They’ve been fighting for a long time. They’ve been fighting for many, many decades. I hope it ends very quickly.”
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he was monitoring the situation closely and would continue to engage with the leadership of both countries for a “peaceful resolution.”
CHINA
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said India’s actions were “regrettable,” urging both countries to exercise restraint and refrain from further complicating the situation, Reuters reported.
“China finds India’s military operation early this morning regrettable. We are concerned about the ongoing situation,” the spokesperson said. “We urge both sides to act in the larger interest of peace and stability, remain calm, exercise restraint and refrain from taking actions that may further complicate the situation.”
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan called on Pakistan and India “to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions, and avoid further escalation that could threaten regional and international peace,” Emirates News Agency-WAM reported.
“He reaffirmed that diplomacy and dialogue remain the most effective means of peacefully resolving crises, and achieving the shared aspirations of nations for peace, stability, and prosperity,” it added.
UNITED NATIONS
The spokesperson for United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the UN chief called for “maximum military restraint” from both countries, Reuters reported.
“The Secretary-General is very concerned about the Indian military operations across the Line of Control and international border,” the spokesperson said. “He calls for maximum military restraint from both countries. The world cannot afford a military confrontation between India and Pakistan.”
FRANCE
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot aurged Pakistan and India to show restraint.
“We understand India’s desire to protect itself against the scourge of terrorism, but we obviously call on both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint to avoid escalation and, of course, to protect civilians,” he said in an interview on TF1 television of France.
UNITED KINGDOM
The UK is ready to support both India and Pakistan to de-escalate tensions, Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said on Wednesday, following the worst violence between the nuclear-armed arch-foes in two decades.
“Our message would be that we are a friend, a partner to both countries. We stand ready to support both countries. Both have a huge interest in regional stability, in dialogue, in de-escalation and anything we can do to support that, we are here and willing to do,” he told BBC radio.
The Foreign Office advised British nationals against travel within eight kilometers (five miles) of the India-Pakistan border, within 16 kilometers of the Line of Control — a heavily fortified zone of high-altitude Himalayan outposts that represents the de facto Kashmir border — and all travel to the southwestern Balochistan province of Pakistan.
“We are continuing to monitor the situation closely. British nationals should stay up to date with our travel advice and follow the advice of local authorities,” it added.
RUSSIA
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed “deep concern” over the escalating military confrontation between Pakistan and India, urging both nations to exercise restraint.
Russia added that it condemned all forms of terrorism, according to a statement by the Russian foreign ministry.
GERMANY
Germany said on Wednesday that an “escalation must be prevented” amid the most serious military confrontation between India and Pakistan in two decades.
“Responsible action is urgently needed from both countries,” said the foreign ministry in a statement on X, adding it was convening a crisis meeting and German officials were in contact with both sides.
TÜRKIYE
Türkiye urged India and Pakistan to act with common sense amid the military escalation between them, its foreign ministry said on Wednesday, saying India’s latest military action created the risk of an “all-out war.”
In a statement, the ministry reiterated its support for Pakistan’s call for an investigation into an Islamist militant attack that killed 26 in the Indian-administered side of the Himalayan region on April 22.
With inputs from Reuters and AFP
