A COORDINATED diplomatic effort is gaining momentum to defuse mounting military tensions between India and Pakistan, with senior envoys from several countries—including Iran, Italy, Saudi Arabia and the United States—urging both South Asian neighbours to pursue dialogue and avoid further escalation.
Amid rising regional unease following India’s recent airstrikes on targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Iranian, European, and Saudi officials held separate discussions on Thursday with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
Bernama cited today that Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who was in New Delhi for high-level meetings, held a phone conversation with Dar on Thursday evening “regarding the latest security developments in South Asia following the recent rise in tensions between India and Pakistan,” according to a statement by Iran’s Foreign Ministry posted on social media platform X.
In addition to speaking with Jaishankar, Araghchi also held a 90-minute meeting with India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Kumar Doval. During the meeting, both sides “emphasised the importance of preserving peace and stability in South Asia and underlined the need to take appropriate measures to de-escalate tensions,” Iran said.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also held separate phone calls with both Dar and Jaishankar, raising concerns about the deteriorating situation in the region.
Jaishankar reportedly discussed India’s position on the need to “firmly address terrorism” during a meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al Jubeir, who is currently visiting India. Pakistani media reported that the Saudi diplomat is expected to travel to Islamabad on Friday.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also weighed in on the unfolding crisis in conversations with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Indian Foreign Minister.
“The Secretary underscored the urgency of immediate de-escalation. He reiterated US support for direct dialogue between India and Pakistan and encouraged ongoing efforts to improve communication,” said US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce.
The crisis escalated sharply on 7 May after India launched pre-dawn airstrikes in what it called “Operation Sindoor,” targeting sites within Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. India described the strikes as retaliation for an armed assault on tourists in Pahalgam, in Indian-administered Kashmir, which it claims was orchestrated by Pakistan.
Pakistan has rejected the allegations as “fabricated” and has vowed to respond to the Indian strikes “at a time and place of our choosing.”
On Thursday, both nations reportedly exchanged drone and missile fire in incidents along the disputed border, according to Indian and Pakistani officials. - May 9, 2025
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