How has the international community reacted?
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for maximum military restraint between the two countries after India’s missile strikes, adding that the world cannot afford a military confrontation between New Delhi and Islamabad.
“The Secretary-General is very concerned about the Indian military operations across the Line of Control and international border,” his spokesperson said.
US President Donald Trump called the rising tensions between the nuclear-armed rivals a shame.
“I just hope it ends very quickly,” he said.
The White House said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had spoken with his counterparts from India and Pakistan, encouraging both sides to engage in discussions to settle an escalating military confrontation.
China, which shares land borders with both countries and is a close ally of Pakistan, expressed “regret over India’s military action this morning” and said it was “concerned about the current developments”.
“We call on both India and Pakistan to prioritise peace and stability, remain calm and restrained and avoid taking actions that further complicate the situation,” said a foreign ministry spokesperson.
What’s been the impact on flights?
Several airlines, including India’s largest airline IndiGo, Air India and Qatar Airways, cancelled flights in areas of India and Pakistan due to the closures of airports and airspace.
Pakistan International Airlines said airborne flights had been diverted to Karachi, while those on ground have been put on hold.
The conflict has also affected flight schedules elsewhere.
Taiwan’s EVA Air said that it will adjust its flights to and from Europe to avoid airspace affected by fighting between India and Pakistan for safety reasons.
Korean Air said it had begun rerouting its Seoul Incheon-Dubai flights on Wednesday, opting for a southern route that passes over Myanmar, Bangladesh, and India, instead of the previous path through Pakistani airspace.
Thai Airways said that flights to destinations in Europe and South Asia would be rerouted starting early Wednesday morning, warning this could cause delays to some flights.
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