NEW DELHI: India and Pakistan on Sunday called for de-escalation in West Asia after Iran hit Israel with drones and missiles in response to the recent Israeli bombing of the Iranian embassy in Damascus.
“We are seriously concerned at the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran which threatens the peace and security in the region. We call for immediate de-escalation, exercise of restraint, stepping back from violence and return to the path of diplomacy,“ India’s Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement on Sunday.
“We are closely monitoring the evolving situation. Our embassies in the region are in close touch with Indian community,“ it said.
Pakistan, which had strongly condemned the Israeli attack on the Iranian embassy in Syria’s capital, said on Sunday it is watching the ongoing developments in the Middle East with deep concern.
The latest developments underline “the grave implications in cases where the UN Security Council is unable to fulfill its responsibilities of maintaining international peace and security,“ Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
“It is now critically urgent to stabilise the situation and restore peace. We call on all parties to exercise utmost restraint and move towards de-escalation,“ it said.
Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps said it fired dozens of drones and missiles towards the positions of “the Zionist regime” in response to various Israeli attacks, including the bombing of the consular section of the Iranian embassy.
Iran’s mission to the United Nations cited Article 51 of the UN Charter for self defence in taking the military action and criticised the UN Security Council’s “inaction and silence, coupled with its failure to condemn the Israeli regime’s aggressions.”
Iran has warned of a larger response in case of any further Israeli attack.
