Shame or support: What is US's true stand on Operation Sindoor?

medium nocaption120953300After India struck at nine sites in Pakistan that are linked to terrorist groups, there was a range of reactions from across the world. US President Donald Trump called it “a shame”, China said it was “regrettable”, and many other countries called on both nations to de-escalate tensions at the earliest.Early on Wednesday morning, India said that defence forces executed Operation Sindoor in which terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir were struck. Altogether, nine sites were targeted.“Our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted. India has demonstrated considerable restraint in selection of targets and method of execution,” India said in an official statement.Pakistan said eight people were killed, 35 injured and two were missing after the attack. medium120952944On Wednesday morning, there was heavy artillery firing in retaliation from Pakistan along the border in which, India said, seven civilians were killed and 35 injured.World leaders across the world reacted in different ways to the escalation between the two nations. US President Donald Trump, when asked about the attacks, said that “it was a shame.”"It's a shame. Just heard about it. I guess people knew something was going to happen based on a little bit of the past. They've been fighting for a long time. They've been fighting for many, many decades. I hope it ends very quickly," he said.US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on X he was monitoring the situation closely, while adding that Washington would continue to engage the Asian neighbors to reach a "peaceful resolution.""I am monitoring the situation between India and Pakistan closely. I echo @POTUS's comments earlier today that this hopefully ends quickly and will continue to engage both Indian and Pakistani leadership towards a peaceful resolution," he wrote. I am monitoring the situation between India and Pakistan closely. I echo @POTUS 's comments earlier today that this hopefully ends quickly and will continue to engage both Indian and Pakistani leadership towards a peaceful resolution.

— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) May 6, 2025 The State Department said Rubio spoke to the national security advisers of both nations, urging "both to keep lines of communication open and avoid escalation." 120965738 120965755The UN Secretary General also called for peace between the two nations saying that the world couldn’t afford a military clash between the two nations"The Secretary-General is very concerned about the Indian military operations across the Line of Control and international border. He calls for maximum military restraint from both countries. The world cannot afford a military confrontation between India and Pakistan,” said a spokesperson from Antonio Guterres’ office.However, Israel's ambassador to India supported the strikes in Pakistan. "Israel supports India's right for self defense. Terrorists should know there's no place to hide from their heinous crimes against the innocent," Reuven Azar said.China calls its regrettable, UAE says it’s willing to support peaceful resolutionA Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that China found India’s military operation “regrettable”. The statement is of significance given China’s investments in Pakistan.The spokesperson said the country was concerned about the ongoing situation.“India and Pakistan are and will always be each other’s neighbors. They’re both China’s neighbors as well, China opposes all forms of terrorism. We urge both sides to act in the larger interest of peace and stability, remain calm, exercise restraint and refrain from taking actions that may further complicate the situation,” China said. In response to a media inquiry about the ongoing situation between India and Pakistan, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday that China finds India’s military operation early this morning regrettable. We are concerned about the ongoing situation. India and… pic.twitter.com/wSBkUwzVwl

— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) May 7, 2025 Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of UAE, called on India and Pakistan to “exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions, and avoid further escalation that could threaten regional and international peace.”“His Highness stressed the importance of heeding the voices calling for dialogue and mutual understanding to prevent military escalation, strengthen stability in South Asia, and avoid further regional tensions,” an official statement said.Sheikh Nahyan said that diplomacy and dialogue remain the most effective means of peacefully resolving crises, and achieving the shared aspirations of nations for peace, stability, and prosperity.He also emphasized that the United Arab Emirates will continue its efforts to support all initiatives aimed at achieving peaceful resolutions to regional and international conflicts and mitigating their humanitarian consequences. medium120952984The UK also said it is ready to support both India and Pakistan to de-escalate tensions. The country on Tuesday announced the signing of a free trade agreement with India. "Rising tensions between India and Pakistan will be of serious concern for many across Britain. We are engaging urgently with both countries, as well as other international partners, encouraging dialogue, de-escalation and the protection of civilians,” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told the House of Commons.Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the tensions between India and Pakistan are a serious concern and urged the countries to "show restraint and engage in direct dialogue to find a swift, diplomatic path forward".“The UK has close and unique relationships with both countries. I have made clear to my counterparts in India and Pakistan that if this escalates further, nobody wins. The UK was clear in its condemnation of the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam last month. We need all sides to work urgently to see regional stability restored and ensure protection of civilians," he said.The German foreign ministry in a post on X that responsible action from both countries is urgently needed."Escalation must be prevented and civilians protected. We are in contact with both India and Pakistan," it said.In an interview on TF1 television, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said, "We understand India's desire to protect itself against the scourge of terrorism, but we obviously call on both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint to avoid escalation and, of course, to protect civilians."Russia called on both nations to exercise restraint. The country's foreign ministry said it was "deeply concerned by the escalation of military confrontation", called "on the parties to exercise restraint to prevent further deterioration" and said it hoped tensions could be "resolved through peaceful, diplomatic means." medium nocaption120965830Japan condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22 but expressed concern over the targeted strikes."...we express strong concern that this situation may lead to further retaliatory exchanges and escalate into a full-scale military conflict. For the peace and stability of South Asia, we strongly urge both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint and stabilize the situation through dialogue,” Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said. Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the government "is closely observing the evolving situation in India and Pakistan” and expresses its deep concern over the situation.It urged both the countries to "remain calm, show restraint and refrain from taking any steps that could further aggravate the situation”.The ministry said, “In the spirit of regional peace, prosperity and stability, Bangladesh remains hopeful that tensions will be defused through diplomatic endeavours, and that peace will ultimately prevail for the benefits of the peoples in the region.”Turkiye's foreign ministry in a statement said it following the developments between Pakistan and India with "concern"."We call on the parties to exercise common sense and refrain from unilateral actions. We expect that measures will be taken to reduce tensions in the region as soon as possible and that the necessary mechanisms, including in the field of counter-terrorism, will be put in place to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents," it said.Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement said it is following with deep concern the continued escalation between India and Pakistan, and urged both countries "to exercise maximum restraint, give priority to the voice of wisdom, respect the principles of good neighbourliness, and resolve the crisis through diplomatic means".The ministry emphasised the "urgent need" to keep communication channels open between India and Pakistan to defuse tensions and address unresolved issues between them through constructive dialogue, "ultimately leading to comprehensive, consensual, and sustainable solutions". It also reiterates Qatar's full support for all regional and international efforts aimed at promoting security, peace, and stability in the region.