Amid heightened tension and India remaining firm that it ‘reserves the right’ to take decisive action to protect its national security, sovereignty and territorial integrity, a number of countries and world leaders have urged India and Pakistan to avoid further military actions.
In a statement, the Pentagon said the US Acting U.S. defence secretary Patrick Shanahan has spoken with senior U.S. military officials about the Indo-Pak situation. “Acting Secretary Shanahan’s focus is on de-escalating tensions and urging both of the nations to avoid further military action,” the Pentagon statement said.
US secretary of state Michael Pompeo said, “I expressed to both ministers (Sushma Swaraj and Pak Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi that we encourage India and Pakistan to exercise restraint, and avoid escalation at any cost.”
However, talking to Pak Foreign Minister he has urged that Islamabad should take meaningful action against terror groups. “I spoke to Pakistan foreign minister Qureshi to underscore the priority of de-escalating current tensions by military action, and the urgency of Pakistan taking meaningful action against terrorist groups operating in its soil,” Pompeo said in a statement in Washington.
UK Prime Minister Theresa May also shared her feeling. “The UK is deeply concerned about rising tensions between India and Pakistan and urgently calls for restraint on both sides to avoid further escalation. We are in regular contact with both countries, urging dialogue and diplomatic solutions to ensure regional stability,” she said.
France, which has been backing India strongly in its fight against terror especially after Pulwama attack, also expressed concerned on the deterioration of the situation. “It calls on Pakistan and India for de-escalation,” a statement said.
In a statement, European Union Commission vice president Federica Mogherini said, “Following the recent terrorist attack in Pulwama, tensions along the ‘Line of Control’ between India and Pakistan have escalated militarily during the last days. This has the potential to lead to serious and dangerous consequences for the two countries and the wider region.”
“It was clearly conveyed that India reserves the right to take firm and decisive action to protect its national security, sovereignty and territorial integrity against any act of aggression or cross-border terrorism,” a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs said after Pak Deputy High Commissioner Syed Haider Shah was summoned here.
“It is unfortunate that instead of fulfilling its international obligation and bilateral commitment to take credible action against terrorist entities and individuals operating from its soil, Pakistan has acted with aggression against India,” the deputy envoy was conveyed.
At the RIC deliberations attended by Foreign Ministers of India, China and Russia in China, External Affairs Minister said India does not wish that things would escalate.
“Excellencies, this was not a military operation, no military installations were targeted,” she said about India’s aerial strike on terror camp in Pakistan. .
“India doesn’t wish to see further escalation of the situation. India continue to act with responsibility and restraint,” she said. (UNI)
