Saudi, Qatar urge India, Pakistan to defuse tensions after Pahalgam attack

NEW DELHI: Amid the threat of a military conflict between India and Pakistan, there was renewed pressure from the international community on both countries to not escalate the situation, with important Gulf partners like Saudi Arabia and Qatar expressing concern about the rising tensions and urging both to resolve the situation through diplomatic means. Riyadh said it was also concerned about the continued exchange of fire along the border areas.

Gulf countries have remained in touch with both the Indian and Pakistani leadership in the past few days.

US secretary of state Marco Rubio called Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif and is reported to have called for restraint and de-escalation. Rubio was also expected to call foreign minister S Jaishankar late Wednesday.

According to Business Recorder, Sharif criticised what he termed as India's "escalatory and provocative behaviour" and said such actions could undermine Pakistan's counter-terrorism ops.

Resolve dispute via diplomatic means, Saudi urges India, Pak

The Saudi kingdom called upon India and Pakistan in an official statement to de-escalate, resolve disputes through diplomatic means, while upholding the “principles of good neighbourliness and working towards stabilty and peace in a manner that serves interests of both their peoples and peopleof the region”.

In a statement, Qatar urged both sides to exercise maximum restraint, (let) prevail the voice of wisdom, respect the principles of good neighbourliness, and resolve the crisis through diplomatic channels. Qatar also reiterated full support for all efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions between the two countries and resolving outstanding issues through dialogue and peaceful means.