The European Union (EU) on Friday (May 2, 2025) known as on New Delhi and Islamabad to present “restraint” and pursue dialogue to defuse tensions amid hypothesis about India’s attainable retaliation towards Pakistan in view of the cross-border linkages to the Pahalgam terror assault.
Following separate cellphone conversations with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas mentioned the rising tensions between the 2 neighbouring nations are “alarming” and the escalation of the scenario helps “no one”.
“Rising tensions between India and Pakistan are alarming. I urge both sides to show restraint and pursue dialogue to ease the situation. Escalation helps no one,” she mentioned in a put up on X.
“I spoke to both @DrSJaishankar and @MishaqDar50 today to convey these messages,” she added.
On his half, Dr. Jaishankar welcomed the EU’s “strong condemnation” of terrorism in all kinds and manifestations.
“Good to speak with EU HRVP @kajakallas this evening. Discussed the Pahalgam terrorist attack. Welcome European Union’s strong condemnation of terrorism in all forms and manifestations,” Dr. Jaishankar mentioned in a put up on X.
The EU’s name for restraint to India and Pakistan got here two days after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged the two nations to work collectively to de-escalate tensions over the Pahalgam terror assault.
Mr. Rubio spoke to Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Dr. Jaishankar on Wednesday (April 30, 2025) amid escalating tensions between the 2 neighbouring nations over the April 22 Pahalgam strike, through which 26 folks, largely vacationers, have been killed.
Citing “cross-border linkages” to the horrific assault, India has promised extreme punishment to these concerned in it.
At a high-level assembly with the highest defence brass, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted on Tuesday (April 29, 2025) that the armed forces have “complete operational freedom” to resolve on the mode, targets and timing of India’s response to the terror assault, in accordance to authorities sources.
The Prime Minister affirmed that it’s a nationwide resolve to deal a crushing blow to terrorism, the sources mentioned after the assembly.
India on April 23 introduced a raft of punitive measures towards Pakistan, together with the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, shutting down the one operational land-border crossing between the 2 nations at Punjab’s Attari and downgrading diplomatic ties, in view of the cross-border hyperlinks to the Pahalgam assault.
In response, Pakistan shut its airspace to Indian airliners and suspended all commerce with India, together with by means of third nations.
Pakistan additionally rejected India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and mentioned any transfer to cease the circulation of water will probably be seen as an “act of war”.
On Friday (May 2, 2025), Dr. Jaishankar additionally spoke to Switzerland’s Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis and mentioned the Pahalgam assault.
“Thanked him for his support and solidarity. We agreed on zero tolerance for terrorism,” the Minister mentioned in a social media put up.
Published – May 03, 2025 06:56 am IST
