Pakistan’s newly elected Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif is in Saudi Arabia these days on his first foreign visit. However, Saudi Arabia has given a big blow to Pakistan on the Kashmir issue. In the conversation, Saudi made it clear that Kashmir is a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan. Along with this, Saudi has advised PM Shahbaz to talk to India and find a solution.
In a joint statement, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia told the Pakistan PM on talks between New Delhi and Islamabad to resolve Kashmir and other pending issues.
Discussion on regional issues including Kashmir with Pak PM
This was stated in a joint statement released a day after an official meeting between Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Saudi King Prince Mohammed bin Salman at Al-Safa Palace in Makkah. According to the statement, their discussion focused on strengthening brotherly ties between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan and exploring ways to enhance cooperation in various fields. The statement said they also discussed regional issues including Kashmir.
Pakistan advised to talk with India
It said, ‘Both sides emphasized the importance of dialogue between Pakistan and India to resolve outstanding issues between the two countries, particularly the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, to ensure peace and stability in the region.’ Delhi has always maintained that Kashmir is a nation. It is a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan and there is no question of mediation or interference by any third party. However, Indian foreign minister has made his stand clear several times that there is no scope for bilateral talks or negotiation with Pakistan until it deals with the terrorism issue in the region.
Relations between New Delhi and Riyadh
While both India and Pakistan have long-standing friendly relations with Arab countries including Saudi Arabia. Relations between New Delhi and Riyadh have improved significantly under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Saudi Arabia has maintained a balanced stance on Jammu and Kashmir. While the Kingdom expressed concern over India’s abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, it did not explicitly condemn these actions, instead calling it an internal matter for New Delhi.
Please convince India
In 2019, Pakistan urged the US to persuade India to start talks on a peaceful solution to the Kashmir issue. This happened when the then US President Donald Trump offered to mediate between the two countries on the Kashmir issue. However, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar made it clear that any discussion on the issue, if necessary, would only be with Pakistan and only bilaterally. India has repeatedly told Pakistan that Jammu and Kashmir was, is and will remain an integral part of India. Delhi has said it wants normal neighborly relations with Pakistan in an environment free from terrorism, hostility and violence.
-Rahul Dubey