Amid rapidly escalating tensions with India following a deadly attack in Kashmir, Pakistan has launched a major diplomatic push, reaching out to key allies including China, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt, and Turkiye. Top Pakistani leaders are working to rally international support and prevent further deterioration of regional peace.
Relations between India and Pakistan have hit a new low—arguably their worst since 2019—after an attack in the Pahalgam region of Indian-administered Kashmir killed 26 tourists. India quickly blamed Pakistan, which strongly denied any involvement and called for a fair and transparent international investigation into the incident.
The fallout has been swift and severe. India suspended the historic Indus Waters Treaty, a key water-sharing agreement between the two countries, while Pakistan responded by closing its airspace to Indian flights. Both nations have expelled each other’s diplomats and imposed visa restrictions, and the main land border crossing has been shut from both sides.
There are growing fears that India may conduct limited airstrikes or send special forces into Pakistan-administered territory, a move that could push the nuclear-armed neighbors dangerously close to another war.
In an effort to ease tensions and present its case internationally, Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held urgent talks on Saturday with his counterparts from China, Egypt, Turkiye, and Saudi Arabia. In a call with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Dar strongly rejected India’s accusations and condemned what he described as New Delhi’s “illegal actions and propaganda.”
According to Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, both sides emphasized the importance of regional peace, mutual respect, and opposition to unilateral actions. They pledged to maintain close diplomatic coordination to support peace and development across the region.
Dar also held similar discussions with leaders in Riyadh, Cairo, and Ankara. Meanwhile, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke with Iran’s newly elected President Masoud Pezeshkian, welcoming any efforts by Tehran to help reduce tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi.
On the other side, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reportedly briefed over a dozen world leaders and summoned diplomats from 100 foreign missions in New Delhi. But according to a report in The New York Times, India isn’t seeking de-escalation—instead, it’s allegedly laying the groundwork for potential military action against Pakistan.
Following the Kashmir attack, India suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, recalled its defense staff, and downgraded diplomatic ties. In response, Pakistan expelled Indian diplomats, canceled most Indian visas except those for Sikh pilgrims, and closed the Wagah border crossing.
Islamabad has issued a stern warning that any attempt by India to block the Indus River’s water flow will be treated as an “act of war” and met with the “full force of national power.”
Meanwhile, tensions continue to rise along the Line of Control in Kashmir, with reports of cross-border shelling between Indian and Pakistani troops for the third consecutive night.
The Kashmir region has long been a flashpoint between the two nations, which have fought multiple wars over the territory since their independence from British rule in 1947. Both countries control parts of the region but claim it in full.
