Srinagar: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday called on India to embrace its role as a regional leader and take the first step towards de-escalating growing tensions with Pakistan.

Her comments come in the wake of heightened cross-border hostilities and renewed international calls for restraint following India’s recent retaliatory strikes on terror launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Referring to the diplomatic engagement between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asif Munir, Mufti highlighted that Rubio had urged both nations to find ways to de-escalate the crisis. This outreach follows earlier remarks from US Vice-President J.D. Vance, who had indicated that the US would limit its involvement in the escalating conflict.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Mufti warned against over-reliance on what she described as “inconsistent” international support. “India, as the world’s largest democracy, the most populous nation, and an emerging global power, must take the lead,” she wrote. “The world is watching. This is the moment for India to stand tall and demonstrate that its true strength lies in its soft power and commitment to peace — not in nuclear posturing.”

The situation between the two countries worsened after the Indian armed forces carried out precision strikes on April 30, targeting nine terror launchpads across the border. The strikes were in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which Indian authorities linked to cross-border elements.