A Week After Pahalgam Attack, Where Does The World Stand As India Seeks Justice? Which Countries May Support Pakistan?

Last Updated:April 29, 2025, 13:25 IST

Pahalgam attack: “India’s anger was felt by the whole world…Justice will be served,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his radio broadcast Mann Ki Baat on Sunday

PM Modi has promised justice for the kin of the Pahalgam victims. (PTI File)

Amid international condemnation of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, where do the global powers stand as India vows retribution?

The Resistance Front, shadow group of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba, has claimed responsibility for the killing of 26 tourists in Kashmir’s Baisaran.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his radio broadcast Mann Ki Baat on Sunday, said, “India’s anger was felt by the whole world…Justice will be served." Modi’s first comments after the attack, too, had a clear message for the world: “India will track and punish every terrorist, their handlers and backers. We will pursue them till the ends of the Earth. Terrorism will not go unpunished."

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s defence minister Khawaja Asif in a recent interview expressed his desire for Russia, China and other Western countries to join the investigation into the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, to determine “whether India was telling the truth".

A look at which country stands where:

US

In the aftermath of the attack, US President Donald Trump had said that “India and the United States stand together in the fight against terror". In a post on Truth Social, he wrote: “Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi, and the incredible people of India, have our full support and deepest sympathies. Our hearts are with you all!"

Subsequently, Kash Patel, FBI Director, expressed solidarity stating the world was facing a threat from terrorism, while US’ Director of Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, wrote to Modi: “We are with you and support you as you hunt down those responsible for this heinous attack."

However, when asked about the escalating tension a few days later, Trump refrained from taking a clear stand. “I am very close to India, and I’m very close to Pakistan, and they’ve had that fight for a thousand years in Kashmir. There have been tensions on that border for 1,500 years. It’s been the same, but I am sure they’ll figure it out one way or the other," he said.

RUSSIA

Even as Pakistan wants Russia to conduct a probe into the incident, Russian President Vladimir Putin had reiterated their commitment to fighting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations after the Pahalgam attack.

Putin had reiterated Russia’s “commitment to further increasing cooperation with Indian partners in fighting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations." “Kindly accept the sincere condolences over the tragic consequences of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, whose victims were civilians — citizens of various countries. This brutal crime has no justification whatsoever. We expect that its organisers and perpetrators will face a deserved punishment," the Russian President had said.

Meanwhile, the Russian Embassy in Islamabad on April 25 issued a travel advisory urging its citizens to avoid Pakistan, citing heightened risks and the potential for escalation following the Pahalgam massacre.

CHINA

This is another country which Pakistan said should join the probe.

After the attack, Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong had said he was shocked by the attack in Pahalgam. “Deep condolences for the victims and sincere sympathies to the injured and the bereaved families," he wrote on X.

However, soon, during a phone call with his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China was closely following developments after the terror attack and backed an “impartial investigation" into the incident, according to a readout from China’s foreign ministry. It also offered support to its close ally Pakistan in protecting its sovereignty and security interests.

China hopes that India and Pakistan will show restraint as a neighbour to both countries, Reuters reported on Monday, quoting a foreign ministry spokesperson.

JAPAN

In his call with Modi, Japan’s PM Shigeru Ishiba expressed his condolences at the loss of lives in the terror attack and said “terrorism cannot be justified".

Randhir Jaiswal, official spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), said, “Both leaders emphasised that terrorism is a grave threat to humanity. Those who believe in democracy should stand united in the fight against terrorism…Modi shared with Ishiba his assessment of the cross-border terror attack and India’s “resolve to deal with it firmly and decisively."

EUROPEAN UNION

Expressing her “deepest condolences" to PM Modi, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said that “Europe will stand with you". EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said that “the EU stands firm against terrorism".

Others in the EU gave condolences. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned “the heinous terrorist attack", while French President Emmanuel Macron extended “heartfelt condolences". British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that his thoughts were with those affected and with the people of India. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed solidarity with the affected families, the injured, the government, and the entire Indian people.

A smaller member of the EU, Denmark, had a stronger reaction. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, in her message to India, said: “Denmark stands with India and strongly condemns all acts of terrorism".

Herve Delphin, Ambassador of the European Union to India and Bhutan, wrote on X, “EU Ambassadors & the Board of the Federation of European Business in India FEBI gathered to observe a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the horrible Pahalgam terrorist attacks. Team Europe/EU family in India stands together with India in this moment of mourning."

ISRAEL

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu extended Israel’s support for India in its fight against terrorism and said that “Israel stands with India in its fight against terrorism." Israel’s foreign minister Gideon Saar said he was deeply saddened by the “heinous terror attack" on tourists in Pahalgam. “Israel stands united with India in the fight against terror" he said in a post on X.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

“UAE expresses its strong condemnation of these criminal acts and its permanent rejection of all forms of violence and terrorism aimed at undermining security and stability in contravention of international law," the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

IRAN

Iran came up with an offer to mediate between the two countries. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Friday described both the two countries as “brotherly neighbours". “India and Pakistan are brotherly neighbours of Iran, enjoying relations rooted in centuries-old cultural and civilizational ties. Like other neighbours, we consider them our foremost priority. Tehran stands ready to use its good offices in Islamabad and New Delhi to forge greater understanding at this difficult time," he said on X.

SAUDI ARABIA

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud spoke to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar as well as Pakistan Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar. “Had a telecon with Foreign Minister @FaisalbinFarhan of Saudi Arabia. Discussed the Pahalgam terrorist attack and its cross-border linkages," Jaishankar said on X.

According to a statement from the Pakistan Foreign Office, Dar briefed his Saudi counterpart on the decisions taken by Pakistan’s Security Committee.

UK

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy spoke to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

“Spoke to Foreign Secretary @DavidLammy of the UK today. Discussed the cross-border terrorist attack at Pahalgam. Underlined the importance of zero tolerance for terrorism," the External Affairs Minister said on X.

The Pakistan Foreign Ministry said the British Foreign Secretary emphasised the need for deescalation of the situation.

AUSTRALIA

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he spoke to Modi and offered condolences on behalf of Australia. “The horrific loss of life of innocent civilians is an act of senseless violence which has shocked the world," he said on X. He said those responsible must be held to account.

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