Saudi minister calls for de-escalation during meeting with PM Shehbaz

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Adel Al-Jubeir, on Friday met with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad, calling for de-escalation and peaceful dialogue amid rising tensions between Pakistan and India, the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported.

Al-Jubeir arrived in Islamabad for a one-day visit at a critical moment as India continues to provoke nuclear-armed Pakistan following the May 7 missile strikes with the Pakistan Army intercepting and destroying 77 Israeli-made Harop drones reportedly launched by New Delhi to target civilian and military installations.

The minister, was received by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister’s House, where the two held talks focused on the worsening security situation in South Asia following recent missile and drone strikes by India on Pakistani territory.

During the meeting, the Saudi minister conveyed Riyadh’s deep concern over the unfolding crisis and reiterated the Kingdom’s call for restraint and the peaceful resolution of all outstanding disputes between Pakistan and India in accordance with international law and United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Read more: DG ISPR challenges Delhi to produce evidence of Pakistan's missile, drone attacks in India

Prime Minister Sharif strongly condemned what he termed India’s “unprovoked and unjustified acts of aggression,” which he said had resulted in the deaths of numerous civilians, including women and children, and caused significant damage to civilian infrastructure.

“These reckless actions violate Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and pose a grave threat to regional peace and stability,” Sharif said, according to an official statement.

He paid tribute to Pakistan’s armed forces for their “exemplary commitment and courage” in defending the nation, stating that Pakistan remained fully prepared to defend its sovereignty in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter.

Read more: India humbled again as IMF approves $2.3b packages for Pakistan

The Saudi minister, who arrived in Islamabad following his visit to India, also expressed condolences over the loss of civilian lives in the recent hostilities and reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to regional peace.

Prime Minister Sharif welcomed the Kingdom’s diplomatic efforts aimed at defusing tensions and underscored the importance of continued collaboration between the two countries while expressing satisfaction with the positive trajectory of Pakistan-Saudi relations and conveyed his warm regards to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Earlier, upon his arrival, Al-Jubeir was warmly received by the Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan and senior officials from Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During his visit, Al-Jubeir met with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The two discussed a range of issues, including the ongoing tensions between Pakistan and India.

Sources said the United States and Saudi Arabia emerged as two main interlocutors between Pakistan and India. Those efforts were more visible on Thursday.

While Saudi Arabia dispatched Al-Jubeir to New Delhi on an unannounced visit, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke to Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and later telephoned Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Read more: India acting as judge, jury and executioner: FO

While squarely blaming New Delhi for the current crisis, Pakistan, according to sources, told the Saudi and US interlocutors that Islamabad had never desired escalation in tensions.

It is believed that Pakistan told those international players that the country wanted the international community to condemn Indian missile strikes targeting innocent civilians.

The sources said Pakistan asked both the United States and Saudi Arabia that India needs to mend its ways and will have to reverse its decision on holding the treaty in abeyance.