By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia and Iran separately offered on Friday to mediate between India and Pakistan, urging de-escalation after a deadly attack in Indian occupied Kashmir reignited tensions between the nuclear-armed rivals, raising concerns of a broader confrontation.
The diplomatic overtures followed an April 22 assault in the tourist hub of Pahalgam that killed 26 people, predominantly visitors, marking the deadliest violence in the disputed Himalayan region in over two decades. India suggested Pakistani militants were involved, a claim Islamabad denied.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held calls with counterparts in Islamabad and New Delhi, emphasizing restraint.
Foreign Office said Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar dismissed India’s accusations as “baseless” during discussions with Prince Faisal, warning against further provocations.
“Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar today received a call from the Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal bin Farhan. They also discussed the regional developments. DPM/FM briefed Prince Faisal on decisions taken by the Pakistan’s National Security Committee in the wake of unilateral measures announced by India.”
The foreign official said on the social media X platform. “He rejected India’s baseless allegations and cautioned against further escalatory moves. DPM/FM reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to respond firmly to any aggression.”
“Both leaders agreed to continue consultations and coordination on the evolving regional situation.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian separately offered Tehran’s mediation, citing historical ties with both nations. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said Dar later “appreciated Iran’s efforts to diffuse tensions.”
“FM briefed him on recent developments in Pakistan-India relations and rejected India’s baseless allegations,” the foreign official said. “FM cautioned against any further escalatory move by India and appreciated the efforts of Iran to diffuse the situation in the region.”
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed “deep concern” over the escalating rhetoric, urging India and Pakistan to resolve disputes through “dialogue and peaceful means.”
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said Guterres had not yet engaged directly with either country’s leadership but stressed differences ““can be and should be resolved peacefully through meaningful mutual engagement”.
“We very much appeal to both the governments… to exercise maximum restraint, and to ensure that the situation and the developments we’ve seen do not deteriorate any further,” Dujarric told reporters in New York.
Tensions worsened after India notified Pakistan of its intent to suspend the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, a pact governing shared river resources.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan called the move “illegally unilateral,” warning that blocking water flows would be viewed as “an act of aggression.”
“India should not create a situation where we are constrained to take extreme steps,” Khan said during a weekly briefing. “Any attempt to dramatically alter or stop the water would be considered an act of war.”
“The Indus Waters Treaty is of critical importance for Pakistan’s water security and economy. Naturally, we will take all appropriate steps to preserve its sanctity and smooth implementation.”
Meanwhile, military forces exchanged fire overnight along the Line of Control (LoC), the de facto border dividing Kashmir, officials said. Local media in Azad Kashmir reported “limited exchanges” without civilian casualties.
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