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Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan spoke on the phone with Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan. According to sources from the Foreign Ministry, the two ministers discussed the recent developments between India and Pakistan, which have raised concerns in the region.
The phone call focused on the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, especially following the Indian missile attacks on Pakistani territories, including Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Pakistan has been actively responding to these developments, and international diplomatic efforts have been ramping up to de-escalate the situation.
Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, along with French President Emmanuel Macron, has called for both countries to exercise restraint, expressing deep concern over the confrontations between these nuclear-armed neighbors.
"We view the confrontations last night between these two nuclear powers with the utmost concern," Merz stated during a joint press conference. Both leaders have urged for diplomatic talks to prevent further escalation.
The U.K. has also made its stance clear. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy urged India and Pakistan to engage in dialogue, stressing the importance of de-escalation and civilian protection. "We are working closely with international partners to promote dialogue and reduce tensions," Starmer said during a weekly session in Parliament.
The situation escalated after a terrorist attack in the Pahalgam region of Indian-administered Kashmir on April 22, which resulted in 26 deaths. India launched missile strikes on May 6, targeting what it described as terrorist locations in Pakistan and Pakistani-administered Kashmir. Pakistan has reported that the Indian attacks hit civilian areas, resulting in at least 26 deaths, including five in Kashmir.
In response to India’s actions, Pakistan’s military claimed to have shot down five Indian fighter jets during the aerial assault, though this has not been confirmed by New Delhi.
In addition to the diplomatic efforts by Germany and France, the U.K. government has also pushed for direct dialogue between India and Pakistan. "The escalation of tensions between these two countries is a serious concern for many in the UK. We are urging both sides to engage in discussions to avoid further conflict," said Foreign Secretary David Lammy in a written statement.
He further emphasized that the U.K. has unique relations with both India and Pakistan and is actively working to de-escalate the situation, urging the two nations to refrain from further military actions.
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