On April 22, a group of terrorists struck the Baisaran meadow in Kashmir’s Pahalgam and killed 26 male tourists. The statements below reflect a common condemnation of terror, with nuances in emphasis on support to India. As global powers take cognizance of the mounting tensions between India and Pakistan, a largely common aspect is the call for diplomatic solutions.
Israel
Shortly after news of the Pahalgam tragedy broke, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs put out a statement expressing solidarity with India in the fight against terror. On April 24, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated their solidarity with India in a call with PM Modi.
Israel’s ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, also met India’s Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar on April 25. India expressed appreciation for “Israel’s steadfast support in combating cross-border terrorism.”
Azar, talking to PTI on April 24, not only condemned the attacks but drew parallels to what happened in Israel on October 7. He said the October 7 attacks are providing “inspiration” to terrorists around the world and further highlighted the presence of Hamas personnel in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in months preceding the attacks.
A TOI report published months prior to the Pahalgam tragedy revealed that in a first, senior Hamas leadership was spotted in PoK for a public rally titled ‘Kashmir solidarity and Hamas Operation Al Aqsa Flood’ in Rawalakot. Apart from this, several Hamas representatives have made a visit to Pakistan since the October 7 attacks.
Saudi Arabia
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on a trip to Saudi Arabia when news of the Pahalgam attack broke. The Gulf Nation issued a joint statement with India condemning “the gruesome terror attack in Pahalgam” and censuring terrorism and violent extremism in all forms. The statement further said the two nations rejected linking terrorism to any particular race, religion or culture.
The complete statement can be read here.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry issued another, independent statement condemning the attack “in the strongest terms”. It added that the Kingdom “also extends its sincere condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims, and the government and people of the Republic of India.”
Modi’s visit to the Gulf Nation was cut short following the news of the attack as the PM swiftly returned home to deal with the situation.
On April 25, India’s Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar held a phone call with his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan, where the two leaders discussed the attacks and the cross border linkages.
The United Arab Emirates
The UAE too released a statement on April 22 condemning the attack and expressing sympathies with the families and government.
“The United Arab Emirates has strongly condemned the terrorist attack that targeted tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in dozens of deaths and injuries of innocent people,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. “The Ministry expressed its sincere condolences and sympathy to the government and people of India, and to the families of the victims of this heinous attack, as well as its wishes of a speedy recovery for all the injured.”
Complete statement can be read here.
On April 26, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, also held a phone call with PM Modi condemning the attacks and expressing “full solidarity and support with India,” according to a post shared by Indian MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on X.
Iran
In the immediate aftermath of the attack, on April 23, Iran put out a statement condemning the attacks “strongly and unequivocally.” As tensions between India and Pakistan soar, the Islamic Republic, already embroiled in conflict in the region, is attempting to play a stabalising role by holding dialogues with both countries and advocating for a diplomatic way out.
On April 25, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Aragchi took to X again, offering to play mediator between the two countries. Aragchi said Iran was willing to use its “good offices in Islamabad and New Delhi” to facilitate dialogue between the “brotherly neighbours of Iran.” He ended the statement with lines from Persian poet Saadi underscoring the interconnectedness of humanity and the collective pain of individual suffering.
On April 26, Iranian Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian held a phone call with PM Modi, condemning the Pahalgam attacks, reiterating the “shared responsibility of all countries in the region” to “eradicate the roots of terrorism through empathy, solidarity, and close cooperation.”
Parallely, Iran’s Foreign Minister also held a telephone conversation with his Pakistani counterpart who briefed him on the situation. Aragchil called for restraint and patience from both sides amid growing tensions.
While the Iranian leaders maintain a diplomatic posture, media reports suggest that soon after the attack, Iran was preparing to beef up security on its border with Pakistan. Tehran was reportedly planning to send “several brigades to secure its border with Pakistan” in the run up to a military confrontation between India and Pakistan, the report said, however there are no further updates on this topic or the validity of the report.
Turkey
Turkey, a longstanding diplomatic and defence ally of Pakistan, also condemned the attack in Pahalgam and offered condolences to the families of the victims.
“We are deeply saddened to learn that many people lost their lives and many others were injured in a terrorist attack which targeted civilians in Pahalgam region of Jammu and Kashmir today (22 April). We condemn this heinous attack. We extend our condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” their Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, in a statement.
However, as tensions began growing between India and Pakistan, social media was abuzz with OSINT reports of Turkey’s C-130E Hercules landing in Pakistan allegedly carrying military cargo including anti-tank missiles and drones. Turkey has categorically denied such claims labeling them as disinformation. A Turkish cargo plane did stop in Pakistan, they said, but only for the purpose of refuelling.
As Ankara quashed claims of arming Pakistan against India, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for de-escalation between the two countries.
“We want the escalating tensions between Pakistan and India to be de-escalated as soon as possible, before they evolve into a more serious situation,” Erdogan said after a cabinet meeting in Ankara.
Qatar
On April 23, Qatar issued a “strong condemnation and denunciation of the attack that took place in Pahalgam.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated Qatar’s “stance against violence, terrorism, and criminal acts, regardless of their motivations and justifications.”
“The Ministry extends its condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government and people of the Republic of India, and wishes a swift recovery to the injured,” the statement said.
Complete statement can be found here.
On April 29, Pakistan spoke to Qatar in an attempt to inform them about “unsubstantiated allegations, inflammatory rhetoric, and unilateral measures” by India, Pakistani daily Dawn reported. According to the news outlet, Al-Thani underscored the importance of keeping regional peace and stability, “highlighting the value of diplomatic engagement in addressing disputes between countries.”
Jordan
Sufian Qudah, the spokesperson for Jordan’s foreign ministry, also condemned the attack in Pahalgam, labelling it as a “heinous” assault, and expressed solidarity with India. On April 24, King Abdullah II of Jordan held a phone call with PM Modi conveying “condolences at the loss of innocent lives” and rejecting terrorism.
“His Majesty King Abdullah II, during a phone call with India Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressed his condolences over the victims of the armed attack in Jammu and Kashmir,” the Royal Hashemite Court said on X.
Oman
On April 23, Oman expressed a “condemnation and denunciation” of the Pahalgam attacks “in the friendly republic of India.”
“It offers its sincere condolences to the Indian government and people, as well as to the families of the victims, and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured,” the statement said. “The Ministry affirms the Sultanate of Oman’s clear position in rejecting all forms of violence and terrorism, regardless of their causes and motives.”
Armenia
Armenia was quick to put out a statement in support of India after news of the Pahalgam attack.
“Shocked to hear of the devastating terrorist attack in #Pahalgam. Our deepest condolences to the families of the victims & wishes of a speedy recovery to the injured. #Armenia stands with brotherly #India against any form of terrorism,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia said in a statement on social media platform X on April 22.
The following day, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan also took to X to condemn the attack and express his condolences for the families of the victims.
“Deeply saddened by the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. Armenia strongly condemns terrorism in all its forms. Our thoughts and prayers are with the friendly people of India,” he said.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan, a strategic ally of Pakistan, has been quiet on the attacks and has not put out any direct statements commenting on the same. However, it is worth noting that Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov held a phone call with his Pakistani counterpart on April 26 where the two leaders discussed the soaring tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam attacks.
“During the telephone conversation, the Pakistani Minister informed us about the tension between Pakistan and India. Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, in turn, expressed hope that the tension will be resolved through diplomatic means and negotiations,” MFA of the Republic of Azerbaijan said in a statement. (Translated).
Palestine, Bahrain, Cyprus, Georgia, Iraq, Kuwait, and Lebanon have all issued statements condemning the Pahalgam attacks.
Syria appears to be the only nation to not issue an independent condemnation of the Pahalgam attacks.
