Global leaders call for 'restraint' as India-Pakistan tensions escalate
EPAA diplomatic push is underway to bring India and Pakistan back from the brink as tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours have escalated.
Overnight into Wednesday, India launched strikes on sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
India said it acted in response to a militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir two weeks ago that killed 25 Indians and one Nepali. Pakistan has denied involvement in the attack.
Indian police alleged that two of the attackers were Pakistani nationals, with Delhi accusing Pakistan of supporting militants - a charge Islamabad denies.
World leaders urged the two sides to exercise "restraint" and called for a de-escalation of tensions.
"The world cannot afford a military confrontation between India and Pakistan," UN Secretary-General António Guterres's spokesman said.
He said Guterres is calling for "maximum military restraint from both countries".
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the situation was a "serious concern".
"The UK government is urging India and Pakistan to show restraint and engage in direct dialogue to find a swift, diplomatic path forward," Lammy said. "I have made clear to my counterparts in India and Pakistan that if this escalates further, nobody wins."
Lammy also said the safety of British nationals in the region was "our priority", with the UK foreign office monitoring developments closely.
US President Donald Trump called it a "shame" and said that he "hopes it ends very quickly".
China's foreign ministry said India's military operation was "regrettable". The foreign ministry spokesperson said they were "concerned" about the ongoing situation and asked both countries to "remain calm, exercise restraint and refrain from taking actions that may further complicate the situation".
France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot told French media: "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."
Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi travelled to Delhi and is due to meet with India's president and external affairs minister on Thursday, after holding talks with Pakistan's army chief and prime minister earlier this week.
Iran has offered to mediate between India and Pakistan.
India said its strikes had targeted sites "from where terrorist attacks against India have been planned and directed" and "no Pakistani military facilities have been targeted".
Pakistan said six locations had been hit, but denied India's allegations of these being terrorist infrastructure.
Pakistani authorities said India's strikes had killed 31 people. Indian authorities said at least 15 civilians had been killed by Pakistani shelling.
Pakistan's military said it had shot down five Indian aircraft and a drone. India has yet to respond to these claims.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the air force made its defence - which was a "reply from our side to them".