Russia says willing to help resolve Pakistan-India differences over Kashmir

Amid the simmering stand-off between nuclear-armed neighbours Pakistan and India in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke to his Pakistani counterpart on Sunday and offered Moscow’s help in resolving tensions, the foreign ministry has said.

“Particular attention was paid to the significant rise in tension between New Delhi and Islamabad,” the foreign ministry said in a statement while referring to Lavrov's conversation with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

The Russian foreign minister’s telephonic conversation followed two days of talks with the Indian External Affairs Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. He called for a settlement of differences between the two neighbouring countries.

During the conversation, Dar stressed that Pakistan would safeguard its sovereignty and national interest and conveyed Pakistan’s offer for a transparent and independent probe.

Emphasising deep concern over the situation, Lavrov also stressed for diplomacy to resolve the issue, adding that both states should exercise restraint and avoid escalation.

It merits a mention that Russia exports fighter jets, tanks, and nuclear submarines to India, as India is the world’s largest arms importer and New Delhi and Moscow have had close ties since Soviet times.

Pakistan and India have locked horns after last month's attack when militants opened fire on tourists in IIOJK in Pahalgam, a tourist spot, resulting in the death of 26 individuals, including a Nepalese citizen.

New Delhi linked Islamabad to the attack without offering any evidence. Pakistan has strongly denied the accusations and offered a transparent and credible investigation into the matter.

Meanwhile, Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry and Information Minister Ataullah Tarar on Sunday briefed senior political leaders from various parties on national security.

A media outlet quoted sources as claiming that during the in-camera briefing at state TV headquarters in Islamabad, DG ISPR warned, “If aggression is imposed on Pakistan, the armed forces are fully prepared to deliver a befitting response.”

During the briefing, the media outlet quoted sources as further reporting that the session focused on Pakistan’s security position in light of the evolving situation, particularly following India’s baseless accusations after the Pahalgam incident.

A large number of political representatives including Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) leaders Khurram Dastgir, Abid Sher Ali, Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha, Adviser to PM on Interior Pervez Khattak, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Dr Farooq Sattar, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) Noor Alam Khan, Senator Abdul Shakoor, Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) Senator Abdul Qadir, Sindh ministers Nasir Hussain Shah, Sharjeel Memon, and Saeed Ghani attended the crucial security briefing.