Turkey Urges De-Escalation of Pakistan-India Tensions Amid Growing Crisis
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has called for immediate de-escalation of the mounting tensions between Pakistan and India, warning that the situation could escalate into a more severe crisis if not contained.
Speaking at a press conference in Ankara on Monday following a cabinet meeting, Erdoğan emphasized, “Turkey urges de-escalation between Pakistan and India before the situation becomes more serious,” particularly in light of the ongoing cross-border firing in the Kashmir region.
Türkiye’s Stand on Palestinian Cause
Turning his focus to the Middle East, Erdoğan reaffirmed Turkey’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause. “Palestine belongs to the Palestinian people. Just as East Jerusalem and the West Bank, Gaza too belongs to the Palestinian people,” Erdoğan stated. He expressed hope that the people of Gaza would continue to live on their ancestral land, despite the ongoing conflict.
Read more: Government Issues Cyberattack Warning Amid Growing Tensions with India
Erdoğan also criticized Israel’s blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza, stressing that further bloodshed, particularly the killing of innocent children and the deprivation of vital resources like food and medicine, could never serve any legitimate objective.
International Reactions to Escalating Tensions
Meanwhile, the United States has urged both India and Pakistan to pursue a “responsible solution” to the escalating tensions following a deadly attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam area. The U.S. State Department confirmed that Washington has been in contact with both governments, closely monitoring developments.
A U.S. State Department spokesperson stated, “This is an evolving situation, and we are in touch with both New Delhi and Islamabad at multiple levels. The United States encourages all parties to work together towards a responsible resolution.”
China Reaffirms Support for Pakistan
The Chinese Foreign Ministry also issued a statement reaffirming China’s full support for Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. The statement underscored China’s understanding of Pakistan’s legitimate security concerns and its commitment to supporting Islamabad in safeguarding its sovereignty and security.
China also emphasized the importance of a fair and timely investigation into the attack that killed 26 tourists in Pahalgam, expressing the need for impartiality in the inquiry. The Chinese government called on both Pakistan and India to show patience and engage in dialogue to resolve the ongoing issues between them.
During a phone call with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chinese officials reiterated their solidarity with Pakistan, urging cooperation to combat terrorism, which they highlighted as a shared responsibility of the international community.
Mr. Dar briefed his Chinese counterpart on the evolving situation after the Pahalgam attack and reiterated Pakistan’s opposition to terrorism in all its forms. He also reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to preventing any escalation in the region.
