Regional powers initiate diplomatic efforts as India and Pakistan face off following Pahalgam attack.
As tensions between India and Pakistan intensify following the deadly attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam region — which claimed the lives of 26 people — regional powers Saudi Arabia and Iran have launched diplomatic outreach to de-escalate the situation and promote dialogue.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, publicly offered Tehran’s assistance in mediating between the two South Asian rivals. Emphasizing the deep-rooted historical and cultural connections Iran shares with both countries, Araghchi said Tehran stands ready to “forge greater understanding at this difficult time.” Quoting the 13th-century Persian poet Saadi, he invoked the spirit of unity: “Human beings are members of a whole… If one member is afflicted with pain, other members uneasy will remain.”
Calling both India and Pakistan “brotherly neighbours,” Araghchi reaffirmed that promoting peace in the region remains one of Iran’s foremost diplomatic priorities.
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Simultaneously, Saudi Arabia has moved to engage both sides. On Friday, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan made phone calls to his Indian and Pakistani counterparts, signaling Riyadh’s concern over the growing instability. In his conversation with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Prince Faisal discussed regional developments and ongoing bilateral relations.
According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, Dar briefed Prince Faisal on decisions taken by Pakistan’s National Security Committee and rejected what he called “baseless allegations” from New Delhi. He also raised concerns about India’s “provocative actions” and their potential to destabilize the region.
The two ministers reviewed the broader regional landscape and expressed satisfaction with the current state of bilateral relations, agreeing to maintain high-level engagement and close consultation on shared concerns.
The outreach comes amid a broader Saudi diplomatic initiative to deepen economic ties with Islamabad. A Saudi delegation recently visited Pakistan to discuss implementation details of a proposed $5 billion investment package, reflecting Riyadh’s strategic interest in regional stability and development.
These parallel efforts by Iran and Saudi Arabia underscore a rare moment of convergence between the two regional heavyweights, both of whom have sought to expand their diplomatic roles since normalizing relations in 2023. With historical rivalries now giving way to pragmatic engagement, their involvement highlights a growing recognition of the dangers posed by renewed Indo-Pak hostility.
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As tensions remain high, the international community continues to watch closely. Whether these efforts can lead to a meaningful thaw remains uncertain — but the message from Tehran and Riyadh is clear, dialogue must prevail over escalation.
