Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has called for immediate efforts to de-escalate tensions between Pakistan and India, cautioning that the situation could worsen into a broader crisis if not contained swiftly.
Speaking at a press conference after a cabinet meeting in Ankara on Monday, Erdoğan stated, “Türkiye seeks an urgent de-escalation between Pakistan and India to prevent the situation from evolving into something more serious,” particularly in light of ongoing cross-border exchanges in the disputed Kashmir region.
Turning to developments in the Middle East, Erdoğan reaffirmed Türkiye’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause. He declared, “Palestine belongs to the Palestinian people. Just as East Jerusalem and the West Bank do, Gaza also rightfully belongs to them. Our brothers and sisters in Gaza will, God willing, continue to live on their ancestral land forever.”
Erdoğan also condemned Israel’s continued blockade of humanitarian aid into Gaza, emphasizing that no legitimate objective can be achieved through the killing of innocent civilians and depriving them of essential resources such as food and medicine.
Meanwhile, the United States has also urged India and Pakistan to pursue a “responsible solution” following the Pahalgam attack, which resulted in the deaths of 26 tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir. The US State Department confirmed it had contacted both New Delhi and Islamabad and is closely monitoring the evolving situation.
“The United States encourages all parties to work together towards a responsible resolution,” a spokesperson stated.
Similarly, China reaffirmed its support for Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pahalgam incident. In a statement, Beijing expressed full understanding of Pakistan’s legitimate security concerns and emphasized the need for a fair and impartial investigation into the attack.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry called for both Pakistan and India to exercise restraint and resolve their differences through dialogue. During a telephonic conversation with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed solidarity with Pakistan and stressed that combating terrorism is a shared international responsibility.
Dar briefed his Chinese counterpart on the evolving regional situation following the attack in Pahalgam, reiterating Pakistan’s opposition to terrorism in all its forms and its commitment to preventing any further escalation in tensions.
