Russia, China call on India, Pakistan to "exercise restraint" as tension escalates

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia released a statement calling on both the countries to show restraint and step up efforts to resolve existing problems by political and diplomatic means.

Russian President Vladimir Putin

New Delhi: Expressing serious concern over the escalating tension between India and Pakistan, Russia on Wednesday urged both the countries to “show restraint”. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia released a statement calling on both the countries to show restraint and step up efforts to resolve existing problems by political and diplomatic means. Russia expressed its readiness to further assist in strengthening the counter-terrorism potential of New Delhi and Islamabad. China also called on India and Pakistan to exercise restraint amid the escalation of hostilities between the two countries and urged them to engage in dialogue to uphold the peace and stability in the region. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang's remarks came after Pakistan targeted military installations in India in response to Indian counter-terrorism in Balakot. "I understand that in the latest development Pakistan says it had shot down two Indian aircraft and captured Indian pilots," Lu Kang told the media here. He said the international community is following the developments closely. "China's position is clear. As two important countries in South Asia we hope that the two countries can exercise restraint and engage in dialogue and take actions for the peace and stability in the region," he said. Tensions are on rise between India and China after Pakistan’s violation of Indian air space on Wednesday in response to a counter- terrorism operation by India on Tuesday.  Indian forces today struck down a fighter jet of Pakistan as their forces attempted to launch strike on India’s military establishments. Indian Air Force launched a counter-terrorism action against a training camp of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in Pakistan on Tuesday, based on credible evidence that the UN-proscribed terror group intended to launch terror attacks. The JeM had taken the responsibility of the terror strike in Kashmir's Pulwama district on February 14, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed.