By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad on Monday for talks aimed at bolstering bilateral ties and addressing regional developments, the foreign office said, as tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi escalate following a deadly attack in occupied Kashmir.
Araghchi, received by senior Pakistani officials including Additional Secretary for West Asia Syed Asad Gillani, is scheduled to meet President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar during his visit.
“Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad on an official visit,” the foreign office said in a statement. “He will hold important meetings with the Pakistani leadership including the president, prime minister and the deputy prime minister.”
Pakistan and Iran enjoy close ties and have signed several pacts in trade, energy and security in recent years. The two countries have also been at odds over instability on their shared porous border, but have quickly moved to ease tensions each time.
The diplomatic engagement comes amid heightened hostilities between nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan. Tensions surged after an April 22 attack in disputed Kashmir killed 26 tourists, which New Delhi blamed on Pakistan, a claim Islamabad denies.
Cross-border shelling has since erupted near the Line of Control for 10 consecutive days, with both nations imposing punitive measures.
Araghchi’s visit follows Iran’s offer to mediate between the neighbors. On April 25, he posted on social media platform X that Tehran stood “ready to use its good offices to forge greater understanding” amid fears of potential Indian military action.
Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar last week cited “credible intelligence” suggesting India might launch preemptive strikes.
The Iranian minister has held calls in recent days with Dar and Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian separately spoke to Sharif and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Araghchi will return to Tehran on May 5 before traveling to New Delhi on May 7-8, despite airspace restrictions barring Indian and Pakistani aircraft from each other’s territories. Third-party flights remain unaffected.
In an earlier statement on Sunday, the foreign office said Araghchi’s visit reflects both countries’ commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation. It said that the two sides will also exchange views on regional and global developments.
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