G7 urges India-Pakistan dialogue, US offers help on ‘constructive talks’

On Friday, the Group of Seven (G7) leading nations called for India and Pakistan to initiate direct discussions as tensions escalate between the nuclear-capable neighbors, while the U.S. administration stated it has provided help in commencing “constructive talks.”

Global powers have sounded the alarm regarding the recent intensification of the longstanding India-Pakistan conflict. On Wednesday, India launched air strikes and missiles at Pakistan, leading to daily clashes between the two nations. Many have been slain.

Among the G7 nations, the U.S. has been conducting frequent discussions with both India and Pakistan lately, encouraging them to reduce tensions.

After a call on Friday between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir, the U.S. State Department said Rubio offered U.S. assistance “in starting constructive talks in order to avoid future conflicts.”

Rubio has consistently engaged in calls with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar since late April. Earlier this week, President Donald Trump expressed that the escalating tensions were unfortunate. U.S. Vice President JD Vance stated that a conflict between the two nations would be “none of our concern.”

In recent times, Western powers have regarded India as a significant ally to counter China’s growing influence. Pakistan remains a U.S. ally, although its significance has lessened since Washington’s exit from neighboring Afghanistan in 2021.

In a statement, the foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the U.S., Britain, and the European Union expressed their “strong condemnation” of an Islamist militant assault on April 22 that resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals in Kashmir, which is administered by India. India accused Pakistan, which rejected the claims and requested an impartial investigation.

“We call for immediate de-escalation and encourage both countries to engage in direct dialogue towards a peaceful outcome,” the G7 statement said.