Prime Minister Christopher Luxon Photo: RNZ/ Layla Bailey-McDowell
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has called on India and Pakistan to de-escalate tensions, urging the nuclear-armed neighbours to resolve their differences through dialogue.
Announcing a boost to capital expenditure at a pre-budget speech on Thursday, Luxon said in his first comments to media on the conflict that he condemned terrorism "in all of its forms".
India launched missile strikes on nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir early Wednesday morning in a campaign titled "Operation Sindoor".
According to the BBC, Pakistan says 31 people have been killed and 57 wounded in the attack, while India says at least 15 people have been killed in shelling on its side of the Line of Control, which serves as the de-facto border between the two nations.
India's offensive followed a terrorist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 people last month.
India said Pakistan-based Islamist militants were responsible for the attack, but Pakistan has denied involvement.
"We condemn terrorism in all of its form," Luxon told reporters in Auckland.
"Secondly, we would love to see India and Pakistan de-escalate through diplomacy and dialogue and resolve the tensions."
Foreign Minister Winston Peters told reporters Wednesday the missiles launched by the Indian military on targets in Pakistan were "seriously alarming".
Peters said the Foreign Ministry was tracking down any New Zealanders who might be in the region, calling on all sides to show restraint.
