In response to Indian assault, Turkey expresses sympathy with Pakistan.
Amid escalating tensions in South Asia, Turkey has sharply denounced India’s unwarranted attack against Pakistan, expressing full sympathy and urging calm.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan called Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Wednesday in a diplomatic outreach to voice serious concerns about the worsening regional security situation after Indian missile and artillery attacks on Pakistani territory.
The Turkish foreign minister expressed his government’s unwavering support for Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, according to a statement released by the prime minister’s office. “The escalation and the tragic loss of innocent lives in Pakistan are of great concern to us,” Fidan stated.
After talking about the changing circumstances, the two leaders decided to stay in close communication for the next few days. In order to avoid further escalation, they emphasised the significance of regional stability and called for moderation from all parties.
Separately, Deputy Prime Minister Dar and the Turkish Ambassador to Pakistan met in an emergency. The envoy expressed sympathy for the civilian deaths and denounced the Indian attacks throughout the meeting. He underlined the necessity for world attention to the breach of Pakistan’s airspace and the deaths, while also restating Turkey’s support for Pakistan.
Reiterating its commitment to peace while reserving the right to respond to any aggression, Pakistan welcomed Ankara’s offer of support.
In an official statement, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs also urged India and Pakistan to defuse the situation and start a diplomatic conversation. It stated that Turkey urged both nations to exercise prudence and give regional peace top priority.
China condemns Indian strikes and urges moderation.
Expressing deep concern over the rapidly intensifying hostilities between Pakistan and India, China on Wednesday called for calm and restraint, urging both countries to prioritise peace and avoid any actions that could further escalate tensions in the region.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed its long-standing stance in favour of regional stability and called the recent Indian attack against Pakistan “regrettable” in an official statement.
“We are seriously concerned about the evolving situation in South Asia,” a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said during a routine press briefing. “We urge both Pakistan and India to exercise maximum restraint and refrain from taking steps that may aggravate the conflict.”
The spokesperson further stressed the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving disputes, adding that “peace must be given a chance first.”
The Chinese response comes amid heightened military activity along the Line of Control (LoC), after Pakistan claimed to have shot down several Indian Air Force jets, including Rafale and Sukhoi aircraft, in what it termed a “timely and proportionate response” to Indian airspace violations.
