New Delhi: The global community has called on New Delhi and Islamabad to show restraint and ensure stability in the region, following raised tensions over the Indian Air Force’s airstrikes in Pakistan’s Balakot Tuesday morning.
China was one of the quickest to react.
Calling for the “harmonious coexistence of the two countries”, a statement by China’s foreign ministry spokesman said the ties were vital to regional peace, stability and development.
“It is fundamentally in line with the interests of both India and Pakistan. We hope that both sides will exercise restraint and be able to take actions that will help stabilise the situation in the region and help to improve mutual relations, not the other way around,” the spokesman stated.
Australia’s foreign affairs minister, Marise Payne, released a statement that urged Pakistan to take action against terrorists on its soil. “India’s Foreign Secretary has stated that India has now conducted operations targeting terrorist groups based in Pakistan. Pakistan must take urgent and meaningful action against terrorist groups in its territory, including Jaish-e-Mohammed which has claimed responsibility for the 14 February bombing, and Lashkar-e-Taiba,” Payne said.
“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.”
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The Brussels-based European Union (EU) also made a similar initial comment. In a statement to AFP, the EU called on India and Pakistan to observe “maximum restraint” after the IAF airstrikes in Balakot.
India’s foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale announced the airstrikes in a press briefing around midday, saying India is firmly and resolutely committed to taking all necessary measures to fight terrorism.
“Hence this non-military preemptive action was specifically targeted at the JeM camp. The selection of the target was also conditioned by our desire to avoid civilian casualties,” he told the media. He later briefed the ambassadors of various countries in New Delhi.
Following the briefing, the dean of Diplomatic Corps of the Dominican Republic, Hans Dannenberg Castellan, released a press statement that the information received by them was similar to the information given to media.
“The Diplomatic Corps feels very satisfied for the quick and organised manner in which the Ministry of External Affairs briefed all Heads of Mission accredited in Delhi,” read the statement.
It also acknowledged that the Indian external affairs ministry had conveyed that it had “no intention to escalate and will act in restraint and responsibly”.
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CONGRATULATIONS !VICTORY FOR INDIA, VICTORY FOR AIR FORCE, VICTORY FOR MILITARY , DEFENSE FORCES &VICTORY OF EVERY INDIAN.AFTER DECADES OF INSULT OFFERED TO EVERY INDIAN BY CONGRESS TO DAY ONCE AGAIN EVERY INDIAN IS HOLDING HIS HEAD HIGH, THANKS MODIJI FOR LEADING THE COUNTRY.VANDE MATARM, JAI HIND
If China stopped in protecting Mazhood Azhar and Pakistan stopped JEM in doing terrorism in Indian soil, then India won’t have to do air strike on terrorist camps or escalating things to next level.
As for India’s concern, stop terrorism… Now it is like Stop terrorism at any cost
May the collective use of good offices by the world’s leading powers lead to a peaceful resolution.