Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Saturday held a telephone conversation with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, reaffirming Türkiye’s support for Islamabad as tensions with India simmer.

According to a statement from the Turkish Presidency, the leaders discussed the May 6 cross-border attack and ongoing regional developments.

“Türkiye stands in full solidarity with Pakistan and mourns the loss of Pakistani martyrs,” President Erdoğan told Prime Minister Sharif. He also extended wishes for the swift recovery of those wounded.

Erdoğan commended Pakistan’s calm and restrained response and endorsed Islamabad’s call for an impartial, transparent, and credible international inquiry into the Jammu and Kashmir terror attack that sparked last week’s hostilities.

“We support Pakistan’s proposal for an international investigation,” Erdoğan said, underscoring the importance of fact-finding to prevent further escalation.

The Turkish leader pledged that Ankara is ready to employ all diplomatic channels to help defuse the crisis, noting that direct engagements between Türkiye, Pakistan, and other stakeholders would continue in the coming days.

“Türkiye will do its utmost to prevent any further escalation,” Erdoğan affirmed.

Prime Minister Sharif thanked President Erdoğan for Türkiye’s solidarity and reiterated Islamabad’s commitment to seeking a political resolution through dialogue and international cooperation. Both leaders agreed to maintain close communication as the situation evolves.

This high-level exchange marks the latest in Türkiye’s proactive diplomatic efforts to stabilize South Asia, where the two nuclear-armed neighbors have traded airstrikes and diplomatic expulsions following a militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir.

Observers say Ankara’s balanced approach aims to preserve regional peace while upholding Pakistan’s legitimate call for independent scrutiny. (ILKHA)