By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday expressed readiness to engage in talks with India to resolve longstanding disputes, including the contentious Kashmir issue and water security concerns, during a diplomatic visit to Iran amid tensions with its nuclear-armed neighbour.
Sharif’s overture came during a four-nation tour to thank allies for their support in a recent military escalation with India. . His visit to Iran follows a stop in Turkey, where he met with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday to discuss bilateral trade and investment, while also thanking Ankara for its backing during the recent hostilities. Sharif is also due in Azerbaijan, and Tajikistan this week.
Upon his arrival at Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport on Monday afternoon, Sharif was greeted by Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni and met with President Masoud Pezeshkian at Saadabad Palace.
“We are ready to talk, for the sake of peace on water issues with our neighbour. We are ready to talk to promote trade and also counterterrorism if they’re serious. ,” Sharif said in a pointed message to New Delhi at a joint news conference in Tehran. “But if they choose to remain aggressors, then we shall defend our territory … like we have done a few days ago. But if they accept my offer of peace, then we will show that we really want peace, seriously and sincerely.”
The offer of dialogue follows a recent military flare-up with India that nearly escalated into full-blown conflict. The confrontation, which saw missiles, drones, and artillery strikes traded across the border, left around 70 dead on both sides before a ceasefire took hold on May 10. The worst fighting between the nuclear-armed neighbours in decades was sparked by an attack on tourists in occupied Kashmir on April 22, an assault New Delhi pinned on Pakistan. Islamabad rejected the accusation.
Sharif credited Pakistan’s armed forces for a recent victory over the nuclear-armed rival but stressed peace as a priority.
“We wanted peace, we want peace, and we will work for peace in the region through talks on the table and resolve our outstanding issues, including the Kashmir problem, according to the resolutions passed by the [United Nations] Security Council … and even by Indian Lok Sabha back in 1954,” Sharif said, referencing former Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s commitment to a plebiscite in the disputed territory.
Sharif called the talks with Pezeshkian “very productive,” highlighting plans to boost cooperation in trade and commerce. “There was total agreement that our two brotherly and neighborly countries must enhance our cooperation in the field of trade, investments, commerce, in fact, every walk of life,” he said, thanking Iran for its backing during the conflict. “My dear brother, I dearly appreciate your sense of concern and brotherly feelings for the people of Pakistan,” he told Pezeshkian.
The prime minister also lauded Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi for his visit to Pakistan during the height of the military escalation, calling him an “outstanding diplomat” and noting that their discussions had been “heart to heart.”
Later in the day, Sharif met with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, briefing him on the recent conflict and thanking Iran for its steadfast support against Indian aggression.
According to state-run PTV News, Khamenei praised Sharif’s efforts in “promoting regional peace and stability with farsightedness” and lauded his commitment to strengthening bilateral ties between Pakistan and Iran. Sharif underlined during the meeting that Pakistan “always desired that peace could prevail in the region, leading to economic development and prosperity.”
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