Macron, Putin, Trump lead global condolences after terror strike in Pahalgam

Messages also came in from the travelling U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, Sri Lanka’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Chief Adviser of the interim government of Bangladesh Prof. Mohammed Yunus

NEW DELHI

U.S. President Donald Trump,British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese were among the top global leaders who condemned Tuesday’s terror strike at Pahalgam that left at least 26 Indian citizens dead and many injured.

Messages also came in from the travelling U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, Sri Lanka’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Chief Adviser of the interim government of Bangladesh Prof. Mohammed Yunus. The Taliban administration of Kabul has also extended condolences after the attack.

“This afternoon I have spoken to my friend Prime Minister Narendra Modi to offer my condolences on behalf of Australia following the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir. The horrific loss of life of innocent civilians is an act of senseless violence which has shocked the world. Those responsible must be held to account. Australia and India are great friends and we stand with India at this difficult time,” Australian PM Albanese said in a message.

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin had written to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi extending his condolences at the loss of Indian lives in Pahalgam. “This brutal crime has no justification whatsoever. We expect that its organizers and perpetrators will face a deserved punishment. I would like to reiterate our commitment to further increasing cooperation with Indian partners in fighting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” President Putin said in his message to PM Modi.

In a separate message, Russian Ambassador Denis Alipov said, “Russia resolutely stands with India.”

Earlier, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer in a message described the terror attack in Kashmir as “utterly devastating”, and said, “My thoughts are with those affected, their loved ones, and the people of India.”

U.S. President Donald Trump had described the terror attack as “deeply disturbing” and said, “The United States stands strong with India against Terrorism. We pray for the souls of those lost, and for the recovery of the injured. Prime Minister Modi, and the incredible people of India, have our full support and deepest sympathies.”

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz has expressed sorrow after the attack in Pahalgam saying, “Today’s terrorist attack in Kashmir is a deeply disturbing reminder that the threat posed to civilized nations by terrorism remains acute.”

The Prime Minister of New Zealand Christopher Luxon, who is travelling in London, said, “Having woken in London to news of the shocking terrorist attack in Kashmir, I’m appalled by the senseless deaths of so many. New Zealanders’ thoughts are with the people of India at this difficult time.”

French President Emmanuel Macron said, “A heinous terrorist attack has struck India, claiming the lives of dozens of men and women from all walks of life. We share the profound sorrow of the victims’ families, to whom I extend my heartfelt condolences.”

Earlier U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, who is visiting India, said, “Usha and I extend our condolences to the victims of the devastating terrorist attack in Pahalgam.”

The Taliban administration of Kabul condemned the terror strike and said, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the IEA (Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan) condemns the attack on tourists in the Pahalgam area of Jammu and Kashmir and expresses sympathy to the families of those who lost their lives in this incident. Such acts threaten the security and stability of the region.”

In a post on X, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake of Sri Lanka said, “I condemn in the strongest terms the cowardly terrorist attack in India. Our hearts with the victims and their families. Sri Lanka always stands in solidarity with the people of India.”

In an official message, the State of Kuwait “condemned and denounced in the strongest terms the terror attack, which occurred in Jammu and Kashmir.” The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait expressed the Gulf state’s “unwavering stance against all forms of terrorism whatever the motive, conveying at the same time, sincere condolences to the families of those killed in the attack.”

The Chief Adviser of Bangladesh Prof. Mohammed Yunus, who is on a tour of Qatar, has sent a message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said, “Excellency, Please accept my deepest condolences over the loss of life resulting from the terrorist attack that took place in Kashmir’s Pahalgam. We strongly condemn this heinous act. Let me reaffirm Bangladesh’s resolute stand against terrorism.”

The United Arab Emirates has also “strongly condemned” the attack in Pahalgam and said “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”.

(With inputs from Meera Srinivasan in Colombo)

Published - April 24, 2025 12:56 am IST