Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has revealed the possibility of Saudi Arabia hosting direct negotiations between Pakistan and India to address longstanding contentious issues, including Kashmir, water disputes, trade, and counter-terrorism.
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In a closed-door meeting with several journalists at the Prime Minister's Office on Thursday, Sharif stated that the Kingdom could serve as a "neutral and suitable venue" for such a dialogue. He ruled out China playing this mediating role, noting that tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi have started to ease following military-level communications between the two countries.
Sharif emphasized Pakistan’s insistence on addressing all key issues as a comprehensive package, not in isolation. He also noted that if talks proceed, Pakistan’s delegation would likely be headed by the National Security Advisor.
Recent Tensions and Diplomatic Efforts
Relations between the two nuclear-armed nations had deteriorated sharply following a deadly attack in Kashmir that left 26 people dead, with India blaming Pakistan for the incident—a charge Islamabad denied.
The region narrowly avoided the brink of war thanks to U.S. intervention and Saudi mediation, which led to a durable ceasefire that remains in effect.
According to Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Saudi Arabia played an active role in brokering the ceasefire between India and Pakistan. He confirmed that 30 countries, including the United States and Turkey, were involved in intense diplomatic efforts to halt hostilities.
Dar further clarified that the understanding with India was not a partial deal but rather a comprehensive agreement, highlighting the reactivation of military communication channels and hotlines between the two nations—steps that were also confirmed by India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
