FO stresses diplomacy in ties with India

Expects Iran-US deal 'sooner rather than later'

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan on Thursday reiterated it's position on regional peace and relations with India on the first anniversary of "Marka-e-Haq", describing it as a defining moment in the country's national journey.

Quoting Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar's message issued earlier in the day, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi, during his weekly media briefing, said the anniversary was "not only about remembering the past; it is about shaping the future".

"The spirit of Marka-e-Haq lives not just in our history, but in each of us," he said.

Responding to questions about the future security environment in South Asia, Andrabi said Pakistan had consistently underscored the importance of diplomacy and dialogue in resolving all bilateral disputes with India.

"Pakistan's position on all bilateral issues with India is anchored in international law, the UN Charter and relevant UN Security Council resolutions," he said.

He argued that Pakistan's stance on issues ranging from Jammu and Kashmir to river waters, arms control, disarmament and humanitarian matters involving prisoners was rooted in legal and political legitimacy.

"When we approach our bilateral relations with India with such legal and political validity, we do not talk of war. We do not talk of clashes. We talk of dialogue and diplomacy," Andrabi said.

At the same time, he warned that Pakistan would respond forcefully to any aggression.

"However, if an aggression, which took place exactly a year ago, is imposed on us, Pakistan will respond, and will respond with full strength and all means available," he said, adding that the message was "amply clear" to Pakistan's adversary in the neighbourhood.

On the US-Iran peace process, the spokesperson said Pakistan remained optimistic about ongoing diplomatic efforts between Iran and the United States, expressing hope that an agreement between the two sides could be reached "sooner rather than later."

"We remain optimistic. A simple answer would be that we expect an agreement sooner rather than later," he said.

His statement came amid reports that Iran and the US were inching closer to agreeing on a "one-page memo" to end the war permanently.

Pakistan remains at the center of backchannel diplomacy as messages and proposals have been exchanged between Iran and the US via Islamabad.

The spokesperson said Pakistan hoped the parties would arrive at a "peaceful, sustainable solution" that would bring stability not only to the region but also to the wider international community.

Andrabi, however, declined to share any details about the nature or scope of the possible agreement, saying Pakistan, as a facilitator, was committed to maintaining confidentiality.

"Look, I do not know whether it's a one-page or a two-page...that would depend on the font as well; larger font go on to two pages," he remarked jokingly.

"It is not for us to discuss or divulge the details on the substance of talks," he added.

"As an honest facilitator and mediator, it is incumbent upon us to uphold the trust of respective positions."

The spokesperson stressed that Islamabad would "jealously guard" any sensitive information related to the negotiations and would not breach the confidence reposed in it by either side.