Global Leaders Urge Calm Amid Rising India-Pakistan Tensions

Diplomatic effort is being made to try and pull India and Pakistan back from the cliff of mutual destruction as tension between the nuclear-armed neighbors have risen.

Overnight to Wednesday, India bombarded sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. India said it had responded to a militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir two weeks ago that killed 25 Indians and one Nepali. Pakistan has denied responsibility over the attack. Indian police accused two of the attackers as being Pakistani, with Delhi accusing Pakistan of supporting militants that claim is denied by Pakistan. World leaders pleaded with the sides to have “restraint” and requested a de-escalation of hostilities.

"The world cannot afford a military confrontation between India and Pakistan," UN Secretary-General António Guterres's spokesman said.

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the situation was a "serious concern". "The UK government is urging India and Pakistan to show restraint and engage in direct dialogue to find a swift, diplomatic path forward," Lammy said. "I have made clear to my counterparts in India and Pakistan that if this escalates further, nobody wins."

US President Donald Trump called it a "shame" and said that he "hopes it ends very quickly".

China's foreign ministry said India's military operation was "regrettable".

France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot told French media: "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."

Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi travelled to Delhi and is due to meet with India's president and external affairs minister on Thursday, after holding talks with Pakistan's army chief and prime minister earlier this week.

Iran has offered to mediate between India and Pakistan.