By Beyza Binnur Donmez
GENEVA (AA) - The Spanish foreign minister had discussions Wednesday with his Indian and Pakistani counterparts about recent escalations, urging "restraint to avoid any type of military escalation."
"The Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, Jose Manuel Albares, held talks with his counterparts from India, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and Pakistan, Ishaq Dar, to learn firsthand about the situation that has developed in recent hours and exchange views with both sides," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Albares “advocated for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve differences,” it said.
It added that the minister also offered Spain's mediation to "facilitate bilateral dialogue or within the framework of the United Nations."
India said late Tuesday that it struck Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir in targeting "terrorist infrastructure" at nine sites.
Pakistan said India hit six locations, and 26 victims were killed and 46 injured in the strikes and cross-border firing along the Line of Control -- the de facto border.
The escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbors comes in the wake of an April 22 attack in Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir, where 26 victims were killed.
India blamed Pakistan for the attack, claiming there were cross-border links. Pakistan denied it had anything to do with the killings and called for an independent probe.