Friday May 2, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali Foreign Minister Abdulsalam
Abdillahi Omer has called for restraint and diplomatic engagement between India
and Pakistan as tensions escalate between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
In a phone call with his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar,
on Thursday, Omer urged both nations to resolve their disputes through peaceful
means. The call comes amid growing fears of a broader conflict following recent
hostilities and mutual accusations.
“Somalia encourages both India and Pakistan to prioritize
dialogue and regional stability,” Omer said.
Both Somalia and Pakistan currently serve as non-permanent
members of the United Nations Security Council. During the conversation, the
two ministers reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening multilateral
cooperation and upholding international peace and security.
Tensions between India and Pakistan surged following an
April 22 militant attack in Pahalgam, a town in Indian-administered Kashmir,
where 26 civilians—most of them tourists—were killed. The attack sparked
outrage across India and fueled speculation of potential military retaliation.
Pakistan’s Information Minister, Attaullah Tarar, warned
earlier this week that Islamabad had “credible intelligence” of a possible
Indian strike within 24 to 36 hours. That timeframe has now passed without
incident, but the situation remains volatile.
In a series of tit-for-tat measures, India on Tuesday closed
its airspace to Pakistani commercial flights, mirroring a ban Islamabad imposed
last week in response to New Delhi’s suspension of visas for Pakistani
nationals and withdrawal from a key water-sharing treaty.
Somalia’s call for calm adds to growing international
pressure for de-escalation as concerns mount over the potential for
miscalculation between the two longtime rivals.