WORLD CALLS FOR DE-ESCALATION OF HOSTILITIES

NEW DELHI: The UK, European Union and China joined the international community on Wednesday to express concerns about the rising tensions between India and Pakistan, and to call for restraint and de-escalation after the two sides said they shot down each other’s warplanes.

Speaking in the House of Commons, British Prime Minister Theresa May said, “May I first say the UK is deeply concerned about rising tensions between India and Pakistan and urgently calls for restraint on both sides to avoid further escalation?”

May said the UK is in regular contact with both countries, “urging dialogue and diplomatic solutions to ensure regional stability”. Britain is also working with international partners to de-escalate tensions, she said.

EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini called on India and Pakistan to show “utmost restraint” and warned of the dangers of further escalation. “This has the potential to lead to serious and dangerous consequences for the two countries and the wider region,” she said.

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi raised the tensions during a meeting with his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj on the margins of a meeting in Wuzhen. “We are concerned about the current tension in South Asia. As a mutual friend of India and Pakistan, China hopes both sides will exercise restraint and avoid escalation,” he said. Russia too called on India and Pakistan to exercise restraint.