The international community on Wednesday called on Islamabad and Delhi to exercise restraint after 26 civilians killed in Indian attacks in Pakistan.
Turkey warns of ‘all-out’ war
Turkey warned of a risk of "all-out war" between India and Pakistan, after the worst violence between the nuclear-armed neighbours in two decades.
"The attack carried out last night by India runs the risk of an all-out war," said a foreign ministry statement after India's deadly missile strikes. "We condemn this provocative initiative as well as the attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure."
Ankara called on both sides to "show good sense" and take the necessary measures to reduce tension "including in the fight against terrorism".
It also backed Pakistan's request for an inquiry into the April 22 attack on tourists by gunmen in Indian Kashmir, in which 26 people were killed, mainly Hindu men.
India has blamed the attack on the Pakistan-based group Lashkar-e-Taiba, a UN-designated terrorist organisation.
Turkey and Pakistan, both majority-Muslim countries, have long had close economic and military links.
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Islamabad in February where the two countries signed a range of new agreements, notably concerning defence.
Iran voices 'deep concern'
Iran voiced "deep concern" Wednesday after India and Pakistan exchanged heavy fire in the worst violence between the nuclear-armed neighbours in two decades.
Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei "expressed deep concern over the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan" and called on both sides to "exercise restraint". Iran, which borders Pakistan and maintains good relations with India, had offered to mediate last month.
Germany says 'escalation must be prevented'
Germany said on Wednesday that an "escalation must be prevented" amid the most serious military confrontation between India and Pakistan in two decades.
"Responsible action is urgently needed from both countries," said the foreign ministry in a statement on X, adding it was convening a crisis meeting and German officials were in contact with both sides.
China expresses concern
China expressed regret and concern over Indian strikes on Pakistan, urging both sides to show restraint in response to a major escalation between its nuclear-armed neighbours.
India and Pakistan exchanged heavy artillery along their contested frontier on Wednesday, after New Delhi launched missile strikes on its arch-rival.
Pakistan said Indian strikes had killed at least eight people, and India said Pakistani artillery fire had killed three civilians along the de facto border in contested Kashmir.
China, which shares land borders with both countries and is a close ally of Pakistan, said it expressed "regret over India's military action this morning" and said it was "concerned about the current developments".
"India and Pakistan are neighbours that cannot be moved apart, and they are also China's neighbours," a foreign ministry spokesperson said in a statement.
"China opposes all forms of terrorism," they said.
"We call on both India and Pakistan to prioritise peace and stability, remain calm and restrained and avoid taking actions that further complicate the situation," the spokesperson added.
UK says ready to help 'de-escalation'
The UK is ready to support both India and Pakistan to de-escalate tensions, Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said on Wednesday, following the worst violence between the nuclear-armed arch-foes in two decades.
"Our message would be that we are a friend, a partner to both countries. We stand ready to support both countries. Both have a huge interest in regional stability, in dialogue, in de-escalation and anything we can do to support that, we are here and willing to do," he told BBC radio.
The Foreign Office advised British nationals against travel within eight kilometres (five miles) of the India-Pakistan border, within 16 kilometres of the Line of Control -- a heavily fortified zone of high-altitude Himalayan outposts that represents the de facto Kashmir border -- and all travel to the southwestern Balochistan province of Pakistan.
"We are continuing to monitor the situation closely. British nationals should stay up to date with our travel advice and follow the advice of local authorities," it added.
Russia says it is deeply concerned
Russia’s foreign ministry has said that it was deeply concerned about the deepening military confrontation between India and Pakistan, and that it called for both countries to show restraint.
Russia, which has warm relations with both India and Pakistan, said it condemned all forms of terrorism in a statement published on the foreign ministry’s website.
France urges ‘restraint’
France has called on India and Pakistan to show restraint as the worst violence in two decades flared between the two countries.
“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,” Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, said in an interview on TF1 television.