Amid India-Pakistan tensions, global community calls for restraint

As the military conflict escalates between India and Pakistan, the international community is urging both countries to show restraint and to discuss their differences in a bid to bring peace to South Asia.

China has joined a long list of countries, including the United States, Russia, the European Union, Japan, Iran and Saudi Arabia, in urging the long-time adversaries to immediately halt their armed hostilities.

China’s appeal

On Saturday, China, Pakistan’s closest friend, “strongly” appealed to Islamabad and New Delhi “to act in the larger interest of peace and stability, exercise calm and restraint, return to the track of political settlement through peaceful means, and refrain from any action that could further escalate tensions".

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“This will be important for the fundamental interest of both India and Pakistan, and for a stable and peaceful region. This is also what the international community hopes to see. China is willing to continue to play a constructive role to this end," it said.

Rubio dials Gen Munir

In Washington, US secretary of state Marco Rubio spoke with Pakistan army chief Asim Munir and urged him to de-escalate tensions with India.

A US State Department official said Rubio pressed both countries to find ways to deescalate and offered US assistance in starting constructive talks to avoid future conflicts.

Rubio’s appeal appeared to mark a U-turn to what US Vice President JD Vance said earlier that Washington was not interested in meddling in the India-Pakistan conflict.

India-Pakistan confrontation

Tensions between India and Pakistan shot up after the Indian military conducted missile attacks on nine terrorist hubs in Pakistan in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist massacre which left more than two dozen civilians dead.

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Since then, India and Pakistan, which have fought three major wars since 1947, have engaged in tit-for-tat military strikes using a variety of arsenal, causing panic in many cities and rural settlements in both countries.

Russia for peace

Russia, which maintains strong ties with New Delhi, too has called for peace between India and Pakistan.

“We are deeply concerned about an intensified military confrontation between India and Pakistan following the terrorist attack near Pahalgam,” Russia’s foreign ministry said in a statement.

“We call on the parties to exercise restraint to prevent further deterioration of the situation,” the ministry said, adding that tensions should be resolved “through peaceful, diplomatic means”.

Saudi, Iran seek de-escalation

Also on Saturday, Saudi Arabia, the most influential Islamic and Gulf country, said it was making efforts to de-escalate tensions between India and Pakistan, end the ongoing military showdown and promote the resolution of their disputes through dialogue and diplomatic channels.

The Saudi statement came as tensions soared significantly, with Pakistan claiming that its three airbases were targeted by Indian missiles and drones early on Saturday. Pakistan then retaliated with its own missile attacks.

Also read: US in 'constant communication' with India, Pakistan: White House

Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araqchi also called for restraint between India and Pakistan. "We hope India and Pakistan will prevent the escalation of tension in the region," he said, echoing the message both in Islamabad and New Delhi.

G7 seeks talks

Earlier, the Group of Seven (G7) nations made a similar appeal to Pakistan and India and called for an immediate de-escalation of their military conflict through dialogue.

The G7 said it favoured “a swift and lasting diplomatic resolution". The foreign ministers of the grouping said further military escalation posed a serious threat to regional stability.

"We are deeply concerned for the safety of civilians on both sides," it said.

Britain, Japan want dialogue

Separately, the United Kingdom said it was ready to support both India and Pakistan to move towards dialogue and de-escalation.

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UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy had "reached out" to both countries, a senior official in London said.

Japan, another economic powerhouse, told India and Pakistan to exercise restraint and stabilize the situation through dialogue for peace and stability in South Asia.