Following the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which claimed 26 lives and set off a series of diplomatic and military reactions between the nuclear-armed neighbors, the European Union encouraged India and Pakistan to de-escalate growing tensions.
Declaring that she had spoken with Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, EU foreign policy leader Kaja Kallas urged both parties to pursue dialogue and exercise moderation.
“Rising tensions between India and Pakistan are alarming,” Kallas remarked in a statement.
“I ask both sides to pursue communication and exercise moderation to help to calm things.”
One of the worst attacks in the area in decades, the Pahalgam one happened at a well-known tourist destination under Indian control.
Charges Pakistan vehemently deny, New Delhi accused Islamabad of supporting the assailant.
India responded by suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, ejecting Pakistani diplomats, canceling visas for Pakistani citizens, and enforcing more travel and media restrictions.
Pakistan has responded with diplomatic expellions and aviation restrictions.
Since then, minor conflicts have broken out along the Line of Control; Pakistani officials have cautioned of future Indian military involvement.
The US has also advised both sides to steer clear of escalation and identify a “responsible solution” to stop more general strife.
Previously visiting India in February to further EU-India trade negotiations, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen She expressed sympathies and reiterated Europe’s support of India following the Pahalgam attack on X.
Although the EU refrained from expressing an opinion on the claims made by both sides, officials claimed the group keeps in touch with both governments and backs initiatives aiming at peace and stability in South Asia.
