New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters has expressed deep concerns over tensions between India and Pakistan, urging both nations to exercise restraint and de-escalate.
“The current developments are deeply concerning,” Peters told The Indian Weekender on Thursday.
“We call on India and Pakistan to abide by their obligations under international law and refrain from actions that may cause further loss of life.”
His comments came after India launched Operation Sindoor in the early hours of May 7, targeting nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir. The operation was a response to the Pahalgam terror attacks, which killed 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen.
India described the strikes as “focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature.”
“No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted,” an official statement read. “India has demonstrated considerable restraint in selection of targets and method of execution.”
In a separate comment uploaded on NZ First’s YouTube yesterday, Peters described the strikes as “seriously alarming”.
He said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working to trace any New Zealand citizens who may be in the region. While diplomatic calls for calm continue, New Zealand’s Indian diaspora has also responded with calls for unity and peace.
“India has done what is right — it has exercised its legitimate right to self-defence,” said Ilango Krishnamoorthy, a member of the Manurewa community.
“Prime Minister Modi took decisive action against terrorist groups, not targeting individuals, but terrorist’s properties.”
Krishnamoorthy added, “Terrorism has no language, no religion and we all stand united against terrorism.”
Among those personally affected by the Pahalgam attack on April 22, the stories of Aishanya Dwivedi, wife of Shubham Dwivedi, and Himanshi Narwal, wife of Navy officer Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, have struck a chord with many in the Indian community, reinforcing the call for justice and accountability.
Narendra Bhana, former president of the New Zealand Indian Central Association, said terrorism in any form is not acceptable.
“Pakistan has well documented records of breeding terrorists, so this is very fast becoming the world's problem,” he said.
At the same time, he acknowledged that South Asia’s complex geopolitical backdrop must not be overlooked. “The complex historical and geopolitical factors surrounding South Asia need to be acknowledged; violence cannot be the path forward.”
Bhana also appealed for calm within New Zealand. “In these challenging times, we also call upon all communities within New Zealand—regardless of origin—to remain united, respectful, and empathetic.
“Let us be guided not by division, but by our shared humanity and our common aspiration for a more just and peaceful world.”
That sentiment was echoed by other community leaders, including Shabbir Rajkotwala, Trustee and Public Relations lead for the Dawoodi Bohras of New Zealand.
“It's our strong belief that one innocent person killed is equivalent to killing the entire humanity. As taught to us in Islam,” he said, referencing Islamic teachings on the sanctity of life.
“Our message is that of peace, and may there be communal harmony in India and around the world, and no more innocent lives are lost.”
Veteran Indian community leader Jeet Suchdev also urged restraint and mutual respect.
“I urge the Indian community and all other ethnic groups to maintain peace. We are one, living together in harmony in New Zealand—and that is how it should remain. Let us continue to uphold unity and mutual respect,” he said.