The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has called on Pakistan and India to de-escalate rising tensions and immediately resume dialogue, urging the international community to accelerate efforts toward a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi expressed deep concern on behalf of member states over the deteriorating security situation in South Asia. Referring to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, he condemned the targeting of civilians and warned India against scapegoating its Muslim population in its aftermath.

“We call for restraint from all parties and urge immediate resumption of direct talks between Pakistan and India,” Albudaiwi said. He stressed the importance of resolving disputes through peaceful means in accordance with international law and the UN Charter, to ensure regional peace and stability.

Reaffirming the GCC’s firm stance against terrorism, the Secretary-General also urged the global community to intensify efforts to seek a peaceful solution to the Kashmir issue based on relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

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Meanwhile, the GCC’s Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC), based in Jeddah, issued a statement urging India to end its policy of collective punishment in occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The commission accused Indian extremists of fueling violence against Muslims and reminded New Delhi of its responsibility to protect its 200 million Muslim citizens.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s human rights arm further demanded that the United Nations and global stakeholders pressure India to stop altering the demographic makeup of the region and to immediately release all Kashmiri political prisoners.

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