Anadolu staff
07 May 2025•Update: 07 May 2025
ANKARA
China said Wednesday that it finds India’s missile strikes inside Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir "regrettable," urging both sides to show restraint.
"China finds 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 neighbors," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
"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," it added.
Japan calls for dialogue
Japan urged Islamabad and New Delhi to exercise restraint and stabilize the situation through "dialogue."
"In regard to the terrorist act that occurred in Kashmir on April 22, our country firmly condemns such acts of terrorism. Furthermore, we express strong concern that this situation may lead to further retaliatory exchanges and escalate into a full-scale military conflict," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said in a statement.
"For the peace and stability of South Asia, we strongly urge both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint and stabilize the situation through "dialogue," he added.
Qatar offers role to de-escalate tension
Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani spoke with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and said his country wanted to play its role in de-escalating the prevailing situation in the region, according to a statement from the prime minister's office in Islamabad.
Sharif briefed him on the ongoing situation and said his country desired peace in the region, however, Pakistan would resolutely defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity with full vigor and force.
Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar said on Wednesday he also spoke to Al Thani.
"Discussed India’s targeted and measured response to deter cross-border terrorism," Jaishankar wrote on X.
Bangladesh urges calm
The Bangladeshi government also expressed its deep concern over the situation and urged both countries to remain calm, show restraint, and refrain from taking any steps that could further aggravate the situation.
"In the spirit of regional peace, prosperity and stability, Bangladesh remains hopeful that tensions will be defused through diplomatic endeavors and that peace will ultimately prevail for the benefit of the peoples in the region," said an official statement.
Afghanistan calls for dialogue, diplomacy
Afghanistan also expressed concern over the escalating situation between Pakistan and India and urged both countries to exercise restraint and resolve their issues through dialogue and diplomacy.
"The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan reaffirms its belief that security and stability serve the collective interests of all countries in the region," said the interim Foreign Ministry in a short statement.
The latest escalation between two nuclear-armed nations comes after India launched overnight missile strikes inside Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, hitting what New Delhi said were “nine terrorist locations.”
At least 31 people, including five in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, were killed and 46 others were injured due to Indian strikes and cross-border firing, the Pakistani Army said, adding six places were targeted by the Indian missiles.
The escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbors comes in the wake of an April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, in which 26 people were killed.
India blamed Pakistan for the attack, claiming there were cross-border links. Pakistan denied that it had anything to do with the killings. Islamabad offered a neutral probe into the attack with third-party monitoring.
*Writing by Aamir Latif, Islamuddin Sajid, SM Najmus Sakib and Ahmad Adil
