In the wake of the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that killed 26 tourists and left 17 others injured, China has urged restraint from both India and Pakistan, stressing the need for regional stability.

The assault, which was carried out earlier this week, has heightened the tension between the two neighboring states.India blamed Pakistan-based terrorists for the attack, to which Pakistan had strongly objected. The attack resulted in a cascade of retaliatory diplomatic and economic steps, as both sides expressed fear of the escalation to the military level between the two nuclear-armed powers.

Chinese Envoy Xu Feihong reacted angrily to the attack by conveying condolences to the victims' families and lending assistance to India."Deep condolences to the victims and heartfelt sympathies to the injured and the bereaved families," he posted on X (formerly Twitter).

In condemning the attack, China also urged the two nations to be restrained and address their differences through diplomacy."South Asia has maintained an overall stability which should be cherished and upheld by all sides. China hopes that Pakistan and India will exercise restraint, engage in dialogue and realize the soft landing of the relevant issues as soon as possible," said Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang.
 

The crisis has not only tried India-Pakistan relations but also brought China's role into the limelight, given that it is a strategic ally of both nations. China's call for negotiations indicates its interest in regional stability, especially given its investments in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and other regional initiatives.

As things unfold, the world waits in its breath, hoping tensions subside and cooperation will ensue in fighting terrorism in the region.