US, Saudi Push For De-Escalation As India-Pak Tensions Soar; G7, China Join Calls For Restraint

SOURCE ; NEW18

Last Updated:May 10, 2025, 16:11 IST

As India responds to Pakistan’s cross-border attacks, the US and Saudi Arabia are leading diplomatic efforts to de-escalate; G7, China, and others join calls for restraint

As tensions between India and Pakistan escalated late on May 9, following a series of coordinated Pakistani attacks on Indian military and civilian targets, Saudi Arabia and the United States launched urgent diplomatic efforts to defuse the crisis. The outreach by key global players came amid fears that continued hostilities could spiral into wider conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

India’s strikes were not an initiation of aggression, but a calibrated military response to what it described as an unprovoked and reckless escalation by Pakistan.

Saudi Arabia Urges De-Escalation In Calls With India, Pakistan

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held separate phone conversations with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, calling for restraint from both sides. As per Arab News, the Kingdom reiterated its “commitment to regional stability” and urged India and Pakistan to resolve their differences through dialogue.

Farhan, according to the Saudi readout, “affirmed Saudi Arabia’s stance to consolidate the security and stability of the region,” and emphasised Riyadh’s balanced diplomatic ties with both New Delhi and Islamabad.

US Acknowledges India’s Measured Conduct, Offers Mediation Support

The United States also stepped in. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke to both S Jaishankar and Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir shortly after Pakistan launched ballistic missiles towards New Delhi — a move India has described as a “grave provocation,” especially given that it came hours after Islamabad secured a $1 billion disbursement from the IMF.

Confirming the call, Jaishankar posted on X: “Had a conversation with US @SecRubio this morning. India’s approach has always been measured and responsible and remains so.”

US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said Rubio encouraged both parties to avoid further conflict. “Secretary Rubio continued to urge both parties to find ways to de-escalate and offered US assistance in starting constructive talks in order to avoid future conflicts,” she said.

Global Community Reacts: China, G7 Call For Calm

China, on May 10, expressed “deep concern” about the escalation and called for restraint on both sides. A spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said:

“We urge both sides to act in the larger interest of peace and stability, return to the track of political settlement through peaceful means… China is willing to play a constructive role to this end.”

The G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US, along with the EU’s High Representative, issued a coordinated statement on May 10, condemning the Pahalgam terror attack of April 22, in which 26 Hindu pilgrims were killed, and warning against further military escalation.

“We strongly condemn the egregious terrorist attack in Pahalgam… and urge maximum restraint from both India and Pakistan. Further escalation poses a serious threat to regional stability. We encourage both countries to engage in direct dialogue towards a peaceful outcome.”

France, Russia, UAE, Norway Had Urged Restraint Earlier

Earlier, on May 7, countries including France, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates had also called for calm following India’s initial retaliatory strikes under Operation Sindoor.

France, in a statement by Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, urged both sides to avoid confrontation and de-escalate: “Prolonged escalation between two nuclear powers would be destabilising for the region. We urge calm and dialogue.”

Russia’s Foreign Ministry said it was “monitoring the situation closely” and called on both India and Pakistan to show restraint: “We are concerned about the escalation and hope that both parties will resolve issues through dialogue.”

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs also called for restraint on May 7, stating: “The UAE urges both countries to pursue peaceful means to resolve tensions and protect regional stability.”

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide echoed global concerns, saying, “I am deeply concerned about the escalation of conflict between India and Pakistan.” He added, “Norway calls on both parties to exercise restraint, de-escalate the situation and find a diplomatic solution.” Eide also reiterated Norway’s strong condemnation of the 22 April terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.

India’s Strikes Were Retaliatory, Precise, And Measured: MEA

In a detailed briefing on May 10, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) clarified that India carried out precision strikes on eight Pakistani military sites in direct response to a series of attacks by Pakistan on Indian Air Force installations and civilian zones.

Pakistan’s coordinated offensive included drones, loitering munitions, high-speed missiles, and fighter aircraft targeting IAF bases at Udhampur, Pathankot, Adampur, and Bhuj, as well as civilian infrastructure at Srinagar and Awantipora.

Colonel Sophia Qureshi, addressing the press, said India’s response was swift, calibrated, and limited to military targets. “Indian Armed Forces carried out precision attacks only on identified military targets,” she said. These included technical infrastructure, radar installations, command centres, and weapons depots.

The eight Pakistani military sites struck were:

• Rafiqui
• Murid
• Chaklala
• Rahim Yar Khan
• Sukkur
• Chunian
• Radar site at Pasroor
• Sialkot Aviation Base

All were engaged using air-launched precision weapons from Indian fighter jets. “India ensured minimum collateral damage,” the MEA stated.

Pakistan also intensified shelling along the Line of Control and International Border, targeting Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Rajouri, and Akhnoor. The shelling killed Rajouri’s Additional District Development Commissioner and injured civilians in Ferozepur and Jalandhar.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri condemned Pakistan’s use of civilian airliners during military operations. While India declared airspace closures during its defence alerts, Lahore’s commercial air traffic remained active, posing a serious international risk.

“The Indian Air Force demonstrated considerable restraint to ensure the safety of international civil aviation,” FS Misri noted.

India also debunked Pakistan’s “tissue of lies” about damage to Indian bases. Timestamped images from Adampur, Suratgarh, Sirsa, Nagrota, and Chandigarh airbases were presented to confirm that all runways and depots remained intact.

“India’s strikes,” the MEA concluded, “were calibrated, limited, and intended to degrade Pakistan’s offensive air and drone capabilities — not to escalate conflict, but to send a clear message.”

First Published:

May 10, 2025, 16:08 IST