Nuclear powers India and Pakistan approach war as Europe watches with ‘utmost concern’

Germany’s new leader joined the European Union in urging India and Pakistan to de-escalate on Wednesday as the two nuclear-armed South Asian countries teeter on the brink of all-out war.

India launched a barrage of strikes in Pakistan late Tuesday that it said targeted militants responsible for a deadly terrorist attack, along with their infrastructure. Pakistan’s foreign ministry called the strikes an “unprovoked and blatant act of war” and a Pakistani military spokesperson said 26 people were killed.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris Wednesday in his first international visit as leader. The two men discussed the conflict, which Merz said “was triggered by a sneak terrorist attack on innocent tourists.”

“The French president and I agree that we view last night’s clashes between these two nuclear powers with the utmost concern,” he said. “Now, more than ever, it is necessary to keep a cool head. Prudence and reason are called for.”

He added that Paris, Berlin and regional partners are “trying to exert our influence” to stop the hostilities from spiraling out of control.

Islamabad said it had retaliated by shooting down five Indian fighter jets, and New Delhi said Pakistani strikes on the Indian-controlled side of the Kashmir border killed 10 civilians.

The conflict was triggered on April 22, when Islamist militants massacred 26 people at a popular tourist spot in an Indian-administered region of Kashmir. The gunmen, whom New Delhi accused Islamabad of backing, reportedly targeted Hindus, who make up the majority of the Indian population. Pakistan is a Muslim-majority country.

Both India and Pakistan — which have been at war before, most recently in 1999 — control parts of Kashmir and claim sovereignty over the entire region.

India initially retaliated by expelling Pakistani diplomats, suspending a crucial water treaty and canceling visas for Pakistani nationals, with Pakistan responding in kind. But the military strikes on Tuesday marked a dramatic heightening of tensions.

India became a nuclear power in 1974 and Pakistan in 1998, with both countries maintaining a stockpile of about 170 warheads, according to the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation.

“We do urge both sides, India and Pakistan, to show restraint and take immediate steps toward de-escalation,” European Commission spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said Wednesday.

“The situation will be discussed with EU foreign ministers during their meetings taking place today and tomorrow,” he added.

In London, U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: “Current tensions between India and Pakistan are a serious concern. The U.K. government is urging India and Pakistan 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,” he added.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen led a delegation to India in February to discuss a long-awaited EU-India trade deal, while Britain signed a trade deal with New Delhi just this week.