RIYADH/DOHA, April 30 —Saudi Arabia and Qatar have voiced serious concern over escalating hostilities between India and Pakistan, urging both sides to de-escalate tensions and seek peaceful solutions amid continued exchanges of fire along the Line of Control in the divided region of Kashmir and worsening diplomatic ties.
In separate statements issued Wednesday, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on the South Asian neighbors to exercise maximum restraint.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expresses its concern over the escalating tensions between the Republic of India and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan,” the ministry stated.
“We urge both parties to resolve their differences through dialogue and diplomatic means.”
Riyadh reaffirmed its backing for any initiative aimed at reducing friction between the two nuclear-armed states, citing its longstanding commitment to peace in South Asia.
Echoing the Saudi stance, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also appealed for calm and a return to the negotiating table.
“Qatar calls on both nations to prioritize dialogue, show restraint, and pursue peaceful resolution of their disputes,” the Qatari ministry said, adding that Doha’s foreign policy is grounded in the belief that diplomacy remains the most effective tool in resolving regional and international conflicts.
The diplomatic reactions from the Gulf come in the wake of India’s suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, a historic agreement brokered by the World Bank.
Observers warn that the escalation between the two neighbors, both of which possess nuclear capabilities, could have serious implications for regional and global security if not immediately addressed.
