World leaders urge restraint after India-Pakistan military escalation

After India launched strikes in Pakistan following a deadly Kashmir attack, world leaders voiced concern and urged restraint, warning that further escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbors could threaten regional and global stability.

India launched Operation Sindoor on Wednesday, targeting nine alleged terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistani Kashmir, in response to a April 22 attack in Indian Kashmir that killed 26 Hindu tourists.

The operation, named after the red powder symbolizing Hindu widowhood, aimed to destroy terror infrastructure. Pakistan called it a "blatant act of war", claiming six of its civilian and infrastructure sites were hit, with 26 civilians killed and 46 injured. India reported 7 civilian deaths from Pakistani shelling in Kashmir.

Both sides exchanged heavy fire, and Pakistan claimed to have downed five Indian aircraft, though unconfirmed. The conflict disrupted air travel, caused school closures, and triggered emergency alerts in both regions.

And now, after India's strikes in Pakistan over a deadly Kashmir attack, world leaders urged calm and restraint between the nuclear-armed neighbors.

- U.S. President Donald Trump expressed regret over the situation, noting the long history of conflict between the two countries and hoping for a quick resolution.

- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he was closely watching the developments and reiterated the President's call for a peaceful resolution through engagement with both sides.

- UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson conveyed António Guterres's concern about India's military action and urged both nations to exercise maximum restraint, warning of the global risk of military conflict.

- Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi condemned the Kashmir terrorist attack and expressed worry that the situation could spiral into a full-blown conflict. He urged both sides to seek peace through dialogue.

- China's Foreign Ministry called India’s military action regrettable and stressed the need for calm and restraint to maintain regional stability.

- Israel's Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, defended India's right to self-defense and emphasized that terrorists must be held accountable.

- Russia's Foreign Ministry expressed deep concern over the rising tensions and urged both nations to avoid further military confrontation.

- French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot appealed to both India and Pakistan to act with restraint, stressing that ongoing conflict would benefit no one, especially given both countries' military capabilities.

- UAE's Foreign Ministry similarly urged de-escalation and warned that continued hostilities could pose threats to both regional and global peace.

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