Operation Sindoor: World Leaders Urge India and Pakistan to Exercise Restraint

World leaders, including US President Donald Trump, have urged for peace.

(Photo: The Quint)

Prominent leadesr from across the world urged India and Pakistan for a "peaceful resolution" after the Indian armed forces attacked nine terrorist outfits in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) early Wednesday, 7 May, under 'Operation Sindoor.'

The operation comes as a retaliation for the terrorist attack carried out in Baisaran Valley, Pahalgram on 22nd April in which 26 people were killed.

With both countries being nuclear powers, several world leaders urged for restraint.

Asked in a press briefing about the reaction to the attacks between India and Pakistan, US President Donald Trump said: “It’s a shame, we just heard about it as we were walking in the door of the Oval," he said. "I guess people knew something was gonna happen based on a little bit of past”, responded to a reporter. President Trump further added that he “hopes it ends very quickly.”

In a post on X, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, “I am monitoring the situation between India and Pakistan closely. I echo @POTUS's comments earlier today that this hopefully ends quickly and will continue to engage both Indian and Pakistani leadership towards a peaceful resolution.”

China, too, expressed concern over the escalation, calling it “regrettable”  In astatement, the the Chinese foreign ministry said: “We are concerned about the ongoing situation. India and Pakistan are and will always be each other’s neighbours. They’re both China’s neighbours as well."

"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.

Russia's foreign ministry said it is “deeply concerned” about increased military confrontation between India and Pakistan. Russia called for both countries to show restraint. It also condemned all forms of terrorism in a statement published on the foreign ministry's website.

The UK Trade Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, told the BBC radio that the UK is ready to support both India and Pakistan to de-escalate tensions. "Our message would be that we are a friend, a partner to both countries. We stand ready to support both countries. Both have a huge interest in regional stability, in dialogue, in de-escalation and anything we can do to support that, we are here and willing to do."

"I don't think anyone has an interest in a lasting confrontation between India and Pakistan," said French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, in an interview on TF1 television. Barrot further added,

"We understand India's desire to protect itself against the scourge of terrorism, but we call on both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint to avoid escalation and, of course, to protect civilians."

Jean-Noel Barrot

Israel’s Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, voiced strong support for India’s right to self-defence. On a tweet on X, Azar said, “Israel supports India’s right to self-defence. Terrorists should know there’s no place to hide from their heinous crimes against the innocent.  #OperationSindoor. ”

In a government statement of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, conveyed: "His Highness has called on the Republic of India and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions, and avoid further escalation that could threaten regional and international peace."

Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi in a press meet said, “For the peace and stability of South Asia, we strongly urge both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint and stabilise 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,” he said.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for military restraint from both countries.

“The world cannot afford a military confrontation between India and Pakistan,” the note said. He offered his good offices to both governments to help defuse tensions and promote diplomacy, stressing that “a military solution is no solution.”

“Targeting civilians is unacceptable – and those responsible must be brought to justice through credible and lawful means,” he added.

India Briefs its Counterparts on Military Strike in Pakistan

India reached out to several leading countries, including the US, Russia, the UK and Saudi Arabia, and briefed them about the military strike it carried out," PTI reported. Among these are the US, the UK, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Russia.

According to reports, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval also called his US counterpart, Marco Rubio and briefed him about the developments.

In the joint briefing conducted by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Defence, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri discussed how “further attacks against India were impending”. The Defence Ministry, in a statement, said its "precision" strikes on "terrorist camps" were following up on its "commitment that those responsible for this attack will be held accountable."

The nine terrorist camps are also allegedly used for recruitment, indoctrination centres, training areas, and launch pads for various terror groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen.