By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has intensified diplomatic efforts to garner international support as relations with India deteriorate sharply following an attack in occupied Kashmir that killed 26 tourists, raising fears of conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbors.
The assault, which struck a popular tourist spot in Kashmir on Tuesday, prompted India to accuse Pakistan of involvement, either directly or through backing militant groups. Pakistan has rejected the allegations and offered to join an independent, transparent probe to uncover the truth.
In retaliation, India suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, a World Bank-brokered pact governing shared river resources. Pakistan denounced the move as unlawful and a breach of India’s international commitments. Islamabad responded by barring Indian aircraft from its airspace, disrupting flights and trade routes.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Ishaq Dar, has held urgent talks with global counterparts, including China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, to outline Pakistan’s position.
“FM briefed Wang Yi on current regional situation,” the Foreign Office said in a statement. “He categorically rejected India’s unilateral and illegal actions, as well as its baseless propaganda against Pakistan.”
Dar expressed gratitude for China’s steadfast support, underscoring Pakistan’s commitment to its “iron-clad” friendship and All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with Beijing.
“Both sides reiterated their firm resolve to uphold regional peace and stability, promote mutual respect and understanding, and jointly oppose unilateralism and hegemonic policies,” statement said. “They agreed to maintain close communication and coordination at all levels to advance their shared objectives of peace, security, and sustainable development in the region and beyond.”
Speaking with Lammy, Dar detailed India’s accusations and its decision to halt the Indus Waters Treaty. “He reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering resolve to defend its national interests while continuing to promote peace and stability in the region.”
UK Foreign Secretary emphasised the importance of de-escalating the situation through dialogue and peaceful resolution of issues.
“Appreciating these efforts, FM (Dar) conveyed Pakistan’s readiness to participate in any independent and transparent investigation to ascertain the facts.”
Pakistan has also reached out to senior officials in Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey, and Egypt this week, aiming to build broader support amid the deepening rift with India.
The crisis has driven India-Pakistan ties to their lowest point since 2019, when a suicide bombing in Pulwama, Kashmir, killed 40 Indian paramilitary troops, triggering Indian airstrikes inside Pakistan. Unlike that attack, which targeted security forces, this week’s strike hit civilians, amplifying the diplomatic fallout.
Kashmir, divided between India and Pakistan since their 1947 independence from Britain, remains a volatile flashpoint. Both nations claim the region in full, have fought two wars over it, and now face a perilous new standoff.
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