EU, other counties urge for restraint
Brussels/ New Delhi: The EU and various other countries on Tuesday called on New Delhi and Islamabad to exercise “maximum restraint” after Indian warplanes attacked a militant camp in Pakistan, sending tensions soaring between the nuclear-armed arch-rivals.
“We remain in contact with both countries and what we believe is essential is that all exercise maximum restraint and avoid further escalation of tensions,” EU spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic told reporters.
India said its warplanes attacked a militant camp where Pakistan-backed fighters were preparing suicide attacks on its cities, killing a “very large number” of militants from the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) group.
Pakistani officials have confirmed Indian planes breached its airspace and dropped a payload over Balakot in the country’s northwest, condemning it as “uncalled for aggression” but insisting there was no damage or casualties.
Meanwhile, China, United Kingdom and Australia also called for restrain after India claimed carrying out air strikes against JeM militants in Pakistan.
Beijing on Tuesday urged India and Pakistan to “exercise restraint” hours after India claimed its fighter jets struck camp in Pakistan in a pre-dawn attack.
When asked for China’s response to India’s airstrikes, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told the media here that we have taken note of relevant reports.”
“I want to say that India and Pakistan are both important countries in South Asia. A sound relationship and cooperation between the two serves the interests of both the countries and peace and stability in South Asia,” he said.
“We hope that both India and Pakistan can exercise restraint and do more to improve mutual their bilateral relations,” he said.
Meanwhile, the British government has called on India and Pakistan to pursue diplomatic solutions.
UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt held telephonic conversations with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Monday, the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said in a statement.
“The Foreign Secretary highlighted the UK’s concern about the enduring threat to regional stability from terrorism.
“He encouraged Pakistan and India to improve cooperation and find diplomatic solutions that will create greater stability and trust in the region,” the FCO said hours before Indian fighter jets struck Jaish-e-Mohammed’s biggest camp in Pakistan in a pre-dawn attack.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) bombed terror camps at multiple locations across the Line of Control (LoC) on the Pakistani side in a pre-dawn strike, 12 days after the Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) carried out the Pulwama attack in Kashmir.
Hunt condemned the Pulwama terror attack and expressed condolences to all those affected, it said.
The FCO statement came amid heightened tension between India and Pakistan after the February 14 suicide attack by JeM terror group that killed 40 CRPF soldiers in Pulwama.
The FCO said that the UK minister reiterated with both Indian and Pakistani counterparts that Britain was committed to working with both India and Pakistan as well as international partners at the United Nations to ensure that those responsible for the attack are held to account.
“The UK has been, and continues to be, in close contact at senior levels in both countries and will be promoting international efforts to tackle the threats of terrorism and improve regional stability,” an FCO spokesperson said.
Australia also urged both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint.
“Australia urges both sides to exercise restraint, avoid any action which would endanger peace and security in the region and engage in dialogue to ensure that these issues are resolved peacefully,” the Australian Foreign Ministry said.
The statement was released by the Australian Embassy here.
It said Pakistan must take urgent and meaningful action against terrorist groups in its territory, including Jaish-e-Mohammed, which has claimed responsibility for the February 14 terror attack in Pulwama, and Lashkar-e-Taiba.
“Pakistan must do everything possible to implement its own proscription of Jaish-e-Mohammed. It can no longer allow extremist groups the legal and physical space to operate from its territory,” the Australian Foreign Ministry said.
“These steps would make a substantial contribution to easing tensions and resolving the underlying causes of conflict,” it said. (PTI/AFP)
Press Trust of India
