KARACHI: As the overnight Indian aggression against nuclear-armed Pakistan sparked alarm across the world, the global community on Wednesday appealed to both sides to ‘prioritise peace’ by exercising restraint.

The United States urged India and Pakistan to hold dialogue, while China offered mediating role in reducing tensions and preventing further escalation.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with his counterparts from India and Pakistan. He “is encouraging India and Pakistan to re-open a channel between their leadership to defuse the situation and prevent further escalation,” said US National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes.

Beijing offered to play a mediating role in reducing tensions between Pakistan and India. “We are willing to work together with the international community and continue to play a constructive role in easing the current tensions,” foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said.

China has expressed regret and concern over Indian strikes on Pakistan, urging both sides to show restraint. China said it expressed “regret over India’s military action this morning” and added it was “concerned about the current developments”.

“India and Pakistan are neighbours that cannot be moved apart, and they are also China’s neighbours,” a foreign ministry spokesperson said in a statement.

Also, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed serious concern over the escalation after Trump called it “a shame”. “Rising tensions between India and Pakistan will be of serious concern for many across Britain,” Starmer told parliament. His country is home to many citizens of Indian and Pakistani descent.

“We are engaging urgently with both countries, as well as other international partners, encouraging dialogue, de-escalation and the protection of civilians.”

Similar appeals came from France, Germany and other European nations. “We do urge both sides to show restraint and take immediate steps towards de-escalation. The EU recalls the need for a negotiated, agreed and lasting, peaceful solution to the conflict,” EU foreign affairs spokesman Anouar El Anouni told reporters.

Russia’s foreign ministry said it was “deeply concerned by the escalation of military confrontation”, called “on the parties to exercise restraint to prevent deterioration” and said it hoped tensions could be “resolved through pea­­ce­ful, diplomatic means.”

Turkiye, Iran, Afghanistan

“The attack carried out by India runs the risk of an all-out war,” said a Turkish foreign ministry statement after India’s deadly missile strikes. “We condemn this provocative initiative as well as the attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure.”

Iran’s foreign ministry spoke­s­man Esmaeil Baqaei “expressed deep concern over the escalating tensions” and called on both sides to “exercise restraint”.

Also, Afghanistan’s government warned India and Pakistan that further escalation was not “in the interest of the region” and urged both sides to resolve their issues through dialogue and diplomacy.

With input from AFP. Anwar Iqbal in Washington and Atika Rehman in London also contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, May 8th, 2025