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In light of the recent escalation of violence following India’s military strikes on Pakistan, which have tragically resulted in the loss of over 70 lives and extensive damage, the World Council of Churches urges both nations to exercise restraint and to prioritize peace over further escalation.
We express deep concern for the welfare of the people of both India and Pakistan, and of the wider region, in the intensifying confrontation between the two nuclear-armed nations.
We shared the shock and pain caused by the brutal killing of 26 civilians on 22 April 2025 by five armed militants near Pahalgam in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir. With the current retaliation by India and the response by Pakistan, many more civilians are being killed and injured.
The pain of loss and the urgency of justice must not lead to further violence or suffering. While the desire for security is legitimate, the path of retaliation only deepens wounds and perpetuates cycles of violence that have plagued the region for decades. India and Pakistan share not only a border but also deep histories, cultures, and hopes for a better future. Escalation of violence and conflict will only bring more grief to innocent lives on both sides. Dialogue, diplomacy, and mutual respect remain the only sustainable paths to lasting peace.
Let us honour those lost not with retaliation but with resolve — the resolve to break the cycle of violence and choose peace. We pray that compassion will triumph over anger and that leaders will rise to the challenge of protecting life and stability over political gain.
We pray for the healing of the wounds of this conflict, the mending of relationships, and the opening of doors to peace and prosperity for both India and Pakistan, so that life may flourish. The people of the region deserve the opportunity to live free from the threat of violence and to pursue lives filled with hope and possibilities.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, because they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9)
Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay
General Secretary
World Council of Churches
