G7, EU Denounce Terror Strike in Pahalgam, Push for Peace Talks Between India and Pakistan

CANADA: The G7 countries condemned the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in a joint statement on Saturday. Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the US, and the European Union called for restraint on both sides of the border.

"We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union, strongly condemn the egregious terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22 and urge maximum restraint from both India and Pakistan," the statement read.

The statement expressed concerns for civilians on both sides. "Further military escalation poses a serious threat to regional stability. We are deeply concerned for the safety of civilians on both sides," it said. The statement said that both parties should engage in dialogue for a peaceful outcome.

"We call for immediate de-escalation and encourage both countries to engage in direct dialogue towards a peaceful outcome. We continue to monitor events closely and express our support for a swift and lasting diplomatic resolution," the statement read.

Earlier in the day, US White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, while speaking on US efforts to mediate the conflict between India and Pakistan, said that the US intends to de-escalate the tensions between both countries.

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