Germany’s Merz calls on India and Pakistan to de-escalate #NewsGerman

New German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called on India and Pakistan to de-escalate after India launched attacks across the border, bringing the two rival nuclear powers to the brink of another war.

“It is now more important than ever to keep calm,” Merz said during his inaugural visit as chancellor to Paris on Wednesday.

Merz, who took office on Tuesday, stressed the need for “prudence and reason,” adding that “no one in the region should have any interest in further escalation.”

Merz said he and French President Emmanuel Macron were deeply concerned by the previous night’s clashes between India and Pakistan, which came following a terrorist attack in the Indian-administered part of Kashmir on April 22 in which at least 26 civilians, most of them Indian tourists, were killed.

New Delhi blames the attack on Pakistan, but Islamabad has denied the accusations and has said it will retaliate against the Indian strikes.

“We remain in contact with our partners in Europe and the region, as well as with the parties to the conflict, and are endeavouring to exert our influence,” Merz said.

The German Foreign Office called on India and Pakistan to prevent further escalation, while advising its citizens against travelling to the region.

“After the horrific terrorist attack in Kashmir and the Indian military response to it, there is an urgent need for both countries to act responsibly,” the German Foreign Office wrote on social media platform Bluesky, calling on both sides to prevent escalation and protect civilians.

The office said it was in contact with both India and Pakistan.

The German Foreign Office updated his travel advisory for Pakistan on Wednesday, recommending that citizens postpone planned flights to the country.

Following the overnight Indian strikes, Pakistan initially closed its airspace but has since reopened it. Islamabad said that the strikes killed at least 31 people and wounded another 57 people. Three people were reportedly killed on the Indian side.

International flights to and from Pakistan as well as domestic flights have been suspended, according to the Foreign Office, which also advised against travelling to the regions of Jammu, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir.

Travellers were advised to contact their airline for more information on their flight status.

The Attari-Wagah border crossing between India and Pakistan remains closed, according to the German Foreign Ministry, which noted that further travel restrictions are possible.