Trump offers to mediate, UK too

China slams India while France sees it understandable,Iran FM in India

FE Team | Published: May 09, 2025 00:31:53

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday offered to mediate what has become the worst military confrontation between India and Pakistan, report agencies.
He called for an immediate halt to the escalating violence the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
Speaking from the White House, Trump expressed concern over the growing conflict. "It's so terrible," he said. "I get along with both, I know both very well, and I want to see them work it out. I want to see them stop."
Despite Pakistan's longstanding alliance with the United States, Trump has cultivated closer ties with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whom he hosted at the White House in February.
Nevertheless, Trump emphasised the US's balanced approach: "We get along with both countries very well… and I want to see it stop. And if I can do anything to help, I will be there."
Trump initially downplayed the conflict, referring to historical tensions - even inaccurately citing a 1,500-year-old rivalry, despite both nations only gaining independence in 1947.
However, in light of the escalating situation, his administration has taken a more active stance.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with the national security advisers of India and Pakistan on Wednesday, urging the two sides to "keep lines of communication open and avoid escalation", the US State Department said. Rubio said he would continue to stay engaged with both sides, was monitoring the situation between the neighbours closely and hoping for a "peaceful resolution".
The UK too has offered to play a diplomatic role in the India-Pakistan conflict. "We stand ready to support both countries," UK Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds told BBC Radio.
"Both have a huge interest in regional stability, in dialogue, in de-escalation and anything we can do to support that, we are here and willing to do." The conflict dates back to the 1947 partition of the Indian subcontinent by British colonial rulers into India and Pakistan.
Beijing called India's attack "regrettable" while urging both sides to exercise restraint. "They're both China's neighbours as well. China opposes all forms of terrorism," the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement.
France Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said that while India's desire to "protect itself from the scourge of terrorism" was understandable, it called on both countries to avoid escalation and protect civilians.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the international community could not "afford a military confrontation" between the nuclear-armed nations.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi has arrived in the Indian capital to hold diplomatic talks with senior officials, as tensions continue to simmer between India and Pakistan.
However, a spokesperson for India's Ministry of External Affairs described the visit as "an opportunity to review and enhance bilateral cooperation on the 75th anniversary of the India-Iran Friendship Treaty".
Aragchi's visit to Delhi follows his stopover in Islamabad just a day before India carried out a series of airstrikes across the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
While in Pakistan, the Iranian envoy held talks with his counterpart, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, as part of Iran's ongoing diplomatic outreach in the region.
In recent weeks, Iran has offered to mediate between India and Pakistan in a bid to ease tensions and prevent further escalation. Tehran has expressed concern over rising instability in South Asia, a region in which it has both strategic and economic interests.
Neither New Delhi nor Islamabad has officially responded to the offer of mediation, though both sides continue to engage with Iran at various diplomatic levels.