Erdogan voices support for Pakistan after Indian missile strikes

In a phone call, Erdogan told PM Shehbaz Turkiye supports Pakistan's calm, restrained approach amid crisis with India.

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke by phone on Wednesday with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to convey his solidarity after India hit Pakistan and Pakistani Kashmir with missiles, the Turkish presidency said.

Pakistan, which has strong ties with Turkey, shot down five Indian aircraft and vowed to retaliate further, in the worst clash between the nuclear-armed neighbours in more than two decades.

During the call, Erdogan told PM Shehbaz that Turkey supported what he called Pakistan’s “calm and restrained policies” in the crisis, his office said in a statement.

Erdogan also said he found “appropriate” Islamabad’s call for an investigation into an attack that killed 26 people in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) on April 22. Pakistan denies Indian accusations that it was linked to the attack.

“Erdogan stated that Turkey was ready to do what it can to prevent the tensions from escalating, and that his diplomatic contacts in that regard would continue,” it said.

Turkey has previously condemned India’s attack and called on both sides to act with common sense. Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said the latest military action by India created the risk of an “all-out war”.