Australia, Bangladesh, Nepal welcomes “understanding” to stop military operations between India and Pakistan

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong called S. Jaishankar and Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, saying the downgrade process is “critical to regional peace”. |Photo source: Reuters

Australia became one of the first countries to welcome the “understanding” between India and Pakistan to stop military operations at the Line of Control and International Borders (IB) that arrived in the tense situation on May 10.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong held a telephone call with Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar and Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, saying the downgrade process is “critical to regional peace.” Other regional leaders, including Professor Mohammad Yunus, chief adviser to the Bangladesh government, and Sharma Oli, Nepal Prime Minister, also welcomed the suspension of firing.

“I know many Australians are concerned about the latest hostilities between India and Pakistan. I have spoken with Dr S. Jaishankar and Dr Ishaq dar, welcome the ceasefire and urge respect for its terms. Degradation and counter-terrorism efforts are crucial to regional peace and security. Zero tolerance for terrorism”.

After a telephone conversation with Ms. Wong, Mr. Dar claimed that Pakistan “expressed restraint” during the conflict and promised that “Pakistan will continue to work responsibly to maintain regional peace and security”.

Earlier, Professor Yunus welcomed the “understanding” between the directors of the Indian and Pakistan Military Operations (DGMO). “I also want to express a deep understanding of the effective mediation of President Trump and Secretary of State Rubio. Bangladesh will continue to support our two neighbors in resolving the differences through diplomacy,” Yunus said.

Nepal’s Prime Minister Oli, speaking in the Nepal Parliament on Sunday, said Indian and Pakistani leaders showed “political maturity” by agreeing to stop firing. India launched Operaton Sindoor on May 7 after a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, killing 26 people. One of the casualties in the attack was Nepali citizens. The subsequent tense military confrontation attracted attention in Nepal as thousands of Nepali Gurkhas work in the Indian military and posted on sensitive locations at Line of Control (LOC) and international borders.