World powers push to defuse Pak-India standoff
Several international and regional players are engaged with Pakistan and India, urging restraint between the two nuclear armed neighbours, as tensions continued between the two countries, triggered by the April 22 attack on tourists in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Sunday saw hectic diplomatic manoeuvres with Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar receiving a call from his Russia counterpart Sergey Lavrove. At the same time, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a grouping of oil rich Arab states, also issued a statement, calling on Pakistan and India to pursue a diplomatic path to resolve their issues.
Meanwhile, the Iranian Foreign Minister arrived in Islamabad in the wee hours of Monday as part of Tehran's efforts to meditate between the two countries.
Tensions between Pakistan and India have been brewing since the Pahalgam attack. New Delhi blamed Pakistan without sharing any evidence.
In a telephonic conversation with his Russian counterpart, Foreign Minister Dar rejected India's baseless allegations and inflammatory rhetoric against Pakistan, and condemned India's unilateral and illegal move to hold the Indus Waters treat (IWT) in abeyance which, he termed a violation of its international obligations.
Reiterating Pakistan's commitment to regional peace, Dar emphasised that Pakistan would resolutely safeguard its sovereignty and national interests. He also conveyed Pakistan's offer for an international, transparent and independent investigation.
Lavrov, who on Saturday spoke to Indian Foreign Minister S J Shankar, expressed concern over the situation and stressed the importance of diplomacy to resolve issues. He emphasised that both sides should exercise restraint and avoid escalation.
The two leaders also discussed the positive trajectory of Pakistan-Russia relations and reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation across all sectors.
On the other hand, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi will undertake an official visit to Pakistan on Monday (today), according to the Foreign office.
"This high-level visit reflects the deep-rooted and strong relationship between Pakistan and the brotherly nation of Iran. It also underscores the two countries' shared commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation across all areas of mutual interest," it said.
The two sides will also exchange views on regional and global developments. During the visit, Foreign Minister Araghchi will call on President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
Pakistan and Iran enjoy close bilateral relations rooted in shared history, culture, and religion. The visit of Foreign Minister Araghchi is expected to further strengthen the existing ties and enhance cooperation between the two countries.
Diplomatic sources said the visit of Iran's foreign minister was part of Tehran's efforts to mediate between the two countries. The Iranian president on April 26 spoke to both Indian and Pakistani prime ministers. The top Iranian diplomat would travel to New Delhi after his visit to Islamabad.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Dar on Sunday directed Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations to take immediate steps for convening a session of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
According to the Foreign Office spokesperson, Pakistan has decided to formally brief the Security Council on the latest situation in the region. Pakistan will apprise the UN Security Council about the aggressive acts of India and its provocation and inflammatory statements.
Pakistan will especially highlight the illegal steps of India to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance. Pakistan will highlight the fact that India's aggressive actions are endangering the peace and security of South Asia and beyond the region.
This important diplomatic measure of Pakistan is part of its efforts to put correct facts before the international community. In this regard, Prime Minister Shehbaz held a telephone conversation with the Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and shared Pakistan's serious concerns over the prevailing tensions in South Asia as a result of India's provocative behaviour since the Pahalgam incident.
He categorically rejected any attempts to link Pakistan to the incident without sharing any evidence and reiterated Pakistan's offer for an international, transparent, credible and neutral investigation to be carried out to ascertain the facts behind this incident.
The prime minister said that Pakistan would welcome Malaysia's participation in this investigation.
While stressing that Pakistan had always condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, the prime minister highlighted Pakistan's role as a front line state in the war against terror and its tremendous sacrifices in this effort.
"India's actions are distracting Pakistan from its counter-terrorism efforts on its western border," he said. He emphasised that it was unthinkable for Pakistan to get involved in such a controversy particularly at a time when the country had just emerged out of a serious economic crisis.
The two prime ministers also exchanged views on bilateral relations, reaffirming their shared commitment to strengthening these ties and enhancing cooperation in various fields, including trade, investment and cultural exchanges.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Dar also held a telephone conversation with his Malaysian counterpart Mohamad Hasan and briefed him on the current regional developments, the Foreign Office spokesperson said in a press release.
Dar rejected India's provocative actions, including its baseless allegations, inflammatory propaganda, and its unilateral decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyancean outright violation of treaty provisions and international legal obligations," the spokesperson added.
He underscored Pakistan's commitment to regional peace and security while reserving the right to safeguard its sovereignty and national interest. Foreign Minister Hasan supported Pakistan's position and called for restraint by all parties. Both leaders agreed to maintain close contact on the evolving situation.
(WITH INPUT FROM APP)