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From US President Donald Trump to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, global leaders urged both nations to exercise restraint after India carried out Operation Sindoor.
UN Chief Antonio Guterres, US President Donald Trump and former UK PM Rishi Sunak reacted to India’s Operation Sindoor launched to avenge the deaths of innocent tourists in Pahalgam. (IMAGE: REUTERS/AFP)
Global leaders, ranging from heads of states – former and current – to chiefs of multilateral forums, have reacted to India’s counter terrorism operation, dubbed Operation Sindoor, where Indian forces struck terror hubs deep inside Pakistani territory and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Shortly after the attack unfolded, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reached out to his counterparts across the world and apprised them of India’s response to rising cross-border terrorism orchestrated by Pakistan-backed terrorists.
These terrorists were responsible for the killings of innocent civilians in Pahalgam on April 22, when they gunned down 26 people, mostly tourists when they were sightseeing. Senior Indian officials spoke to their counterparts in a number of countries to brief them on the steps taken by India shortly after the attack. Among these are the US, UK, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Russia.
US President Donald Trump said he hopes that the hostilities will end “very quickly”.
“It’s a shame, he said, adding, “We heard about it just as we were walking in the doors of the Oval (Office). 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 and centuries, actually, if you really think about it,” Trump said.
Asked if he has any message for the countries, he said, “No, I just hope it ends very quickly.” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he was closely monitoring the situation between India and Pakistan.
Russia also expressed deep concern at the escalation of military confrontation between India and Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack.
“We are deeply concerned about the intensifying military confrontation between India and Pakistan after the terrorist attack near the city of Pahalgam,” Russia Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova was quoted as saying by state-run news agency TASS.
“We call on the parties involved to exercise restraint in order to prevent further deterioration of the situation in the region.
UAE Deputy PM and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan called on both countries to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions, and avoid further escalation.
“We hope that the differences between New Delhi and Islamabad will be resolved through peaceful, political and diplomatic means on a bilateral basis in accordance with the provisions of the Simla Agreement of 1972 and the Lahore Declaration of 1999,” the spokesperson said in a statement in the wake of ‘Operation Sindoor’.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has also called for maximum military restraint from India and Pakistan.
Reuven Azar, Ambassador of Israel to India said that Tel Aviv supports New Delhi’s right for self-defence. “Terrorists should know there’s no place to hide from their heinous crimes against the innocent,” he wrote in a post on X.
Sunak Expresses Support, Europe Urges Restraint
UK’s former prime minister Rishi Sunak said, “India is justified in striking terrorist infrastructure. There can be no impunity for terrorists.” “No nation should have to accept terrorist attacks being launched against it from land controlled by another country,” he posted on X.
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney took to social media soon after news of Operation Sindoor hit the headlines in the UK overnight.
“I am deeply concerned by the events in Kashmir tonight and urge calm and dialogue to avoid further conflict,” he said.
His successor Keir Starmer said the UK is engaging with both India and Pakistan to push for dialogue and de-escalation.
“Rising tensions between India and Pakistan will be of serious concern for many across Britain. We are engaging urgently with both countries, as well as other international partners, encouraging dialogue, de-escalation and the protection of civilians,” he told the House of Commons.
The German foreign ministry in a post on X said following the horrific terrorist attack in Kashmir and the Indian military response to it, responsible action from both countries is urgently needed.
“Escalation must be prevented and civilians protected. We are in contact with both India and Pakistan,” it said.
In an interview on TF1 television, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said, “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.”
Asian, Gulf Partners Urge De-escalation
Qatar also expressed deep concern over the continuing escalation between India and Pakistan after ‘Operation Sindoor’ began and called for resolving the crisis through diplomatic means.
“The State of Qatar is following with deep concern the continued escalation between the Republic of India and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Qatar urges both countries to exercise maximum restraint, give priority to the voice of wisdom, respect the principles of good neighbourliness and resolve the crisis through diplomatic means,” it said, urging that the lines of communication remain open to defuse tensions.
A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that China found India’s military operation early this morning “regrettable”. “We are concerned about the ongoing situation. India and Pakistan are and will always be each other’s neighbours. They’re both China’s neighbours as well. China opposes all forms of terrorism. 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,” the spokesperson said.
The United Arab Emirates asked India and Pakistan “to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions, and avoid further escalation that could threaten regional and international peace,” according to a statement from UAE Deputy Prime Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
“His Highness stressed the importance of heeding the voices calling for dialogue and mutual understanding to prevent military escalation, strengthen stability in South Asia, and avoid further regional tensions,” the statement said.
Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the government “is closely observing the evolving situation in India and Pakistan” and expresses its deep concern over the situation.
It urged both the countries to “remain calm, show restraint and refrain from taking any steps that could further aggravate the situation”.
The ministry said, “In the spirit of regional peace, prosperity and stability, Bangladesh remains hopeful that tensions will be defused through diplomatic endeavours, and that peace will ultimately prevail for the benefits of the peoples in the region.”
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