The European Commission has called on India and Pakistan to show restraint and take immediate steps to de-escalate the ongoing military confrontations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. Speaking at a briefing on Wednesday, EU foreign affairs spokesman Anouar El Anouni emphasized the urgent need for a negotiated, mutually agreed, and lasting peaceful solution to the conflict.
The call comes in the wake of India’s launch of Operation Sindoor in the early hours of Wednesday, during which the Indian Defense Ministry announced targeted strikes on “terrorist infrastructure” inside Pakistan. India claimed to have eliminated 70 terrorists while stressing that no Pakistani military facilities were attacked.
Pakistan, however, reported that 26 civilians were killed and 46 others injured due to the Indian strikes. Pakistani media also claimed that its air force shot down five Indian fighter jets, though India has not confirmed these losses.
El Anouni noted that the EU foreign ministers will discuss the situation at the upcoming Gymnich meeting, underlining the bloc’s commitment to supporting diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the crisis peacefully.
The escalation follows a deadly militant attack on April 22 in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians and triggered a series of diplomatic and military responses from both sides. The European Commission’s statement reflects growing international concern over the potential for further escalation and the need for dialogue to restore stability in the region.