ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia, China, the United Arab Emirates, and several other countries on Saturday welcomed the ceasefire understanding between Pakistan and India, following a week of military escalation that raised fears of a full-blown war between the two South Asian neighbors.
The ceasefire, brokered with US support after missile and drone exchanges between the nuclear-armed neighbors, has drawn a wave of diplomatic endorsements after many countries called for restraint and renewed dialogue.
Pakistan has credited the international community for playing a constructive role in defusing tensions, while also emphasizing its own measured response to what it described as Indian aggression.
“Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50, received a call from the Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Adel Aljubeir @AdelAljubeir, who welcomed the ceasefire understanding between
Pakistan and India,” Pakistan’s foreign office said in a post on social media platform X.
“DPM appreciated Saudi Arabia’s positive and constructive role in promoting peace & security in South Asia,” it added.
Dar also spoke with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, briefing him on the regional situation following Indian attacks and Islamabad’s “carefully calibrated response.”
According to Pakistan’s foreign office, Wang acknowledged Pakistan’s restraint and described its actions as responsible under challenging circumstances.
China reaffirmed its support for Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and pledged continued coordination.
The UAE also expressed support for the ceasefire.
In a separate call, UAE Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed welcomed the development, and Dar commended the Gulf state’s diplomatic engagement in fostering regional peace.
Germany’s foreign office described the ceasefire as a “first, important step out of the escalation spiral” and stressed the importance of dialogue.
“Dialogue is key,” it said. “The German government has been in contact with both sides in the past days.”
Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, said she had spoken with both Indian and Pakistani foreign ministers and called the truce a “vital step toward de-escalation.”
“All efforts must be made to ensure it is respected,” she wrote on X, reaffirming the EU’s commitment to peace, stability and counter-terrorism in the region.
The flare-up between Pakistan and India, one of the most serious in recent years, followed a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir last month and escalated into missile strikes, drone attacks and cross-border fire over the past week.
The ceasefire, announced Saturday, has temporarily halted hostilities, with both sides trading blame for the conflict.
