India has launched Operation Sindoor, a major military strike targeting what it calls terrorist training camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The operation was launched after a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which killed 26 people. India said the camps targeted are used to plan and carry out terrorist attacks against Indian civilians and soldiers.

In response, Pakistan said it carried out its own strikes on Indian army positions. It also claimed to have shot down several Indian warplanes. Islamabad has called India’s actions “an act of war”.

The situation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours has raised global concern. Reports say that at least 26 people were killed in Pakistan overnight, while 10 people died in Indian-administered Kashmir. Many world leaders have shared their thoughts and appealed for peace and restraint.

What global leaders are saying

US President Donald Trump reacted by saying, “It’s a shame. Just heard about it. I guess people knew something was going to happen based on a little bit of the past. They’ve been fighting for a long time. They’ve been fighting for many, many decades. I hope it ends very quickly.”

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio posted on X (formerly Twitter), “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.”

The United Nations also voiced concern. A spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, “The Secretary-General is very concerned about the Indian military operations across the Line of Control and international border. He calls for maximum military restraint from both countries.”
“The world cannot afford a military confrontation between India and Pakistan,” the statement added.

France also called for calm. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said, “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.”

Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi strongly condemned the April 22 terror attack. He said, “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.”
“For the peace and stability of South Asia, we strongly urge both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint and stabilise the situation through dialogue.”

The United Arab Emirates also urged peace. UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan said diplomacy and dialogue are the best ways to solve such crises. “His Highness reaffirmed that diplomacy and dialogue remain the most effective means of peacefully resolving crises and achieving the shared aspirations of nations for peace, stability, and prosperity.”

Israel’s ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, expressed support for India. He wrote on X, “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.”

 

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