"We understand India's desire to protect itself against the scourge of terrorism, but we obviously call on both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint to avoid escalation and, of course, to protect civilians," Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, said in an interview on TF1 television.

"I don't think anyone has an interest in a lasting confrontation between India and Pakistan," he said, adding that he would be speaking with his counterparts in India and Pakistan.

Barrot spoke after New Delhi launched deadly missile strikes on its arch-rival, days after it blamed Islamabad for backing a deadly attack on the Indian-run side of the disputed region of Kashmir.