New Delhi/Islamabad: Signs of a potential thaw have emerged in the long-standing tense relations between India and Pakistan. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed his willingness to hold dialogue with India on various issues. According to Pakistani media reports, Sharif conveyed this initiative during a recent phone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS).
Shehbaz Sharif requested the Saudi Prince to play the role of a mediator between India and Pakistan in order to resolve several long-pending critical issues. These include the Indus Waters Treaty, trade, terrorism, and matters related to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Appeal for Mediation by Saudi Arabia
This proposal from Pakistan comes at a time when official dialogue between the two nations has been stalled for a long period. Pakistan has made it clear that it wants to prioritize regional peace and stability, and is therefore attempting to initiate direct engagement with India.
Sharif urged the influential Saudi Crown Prince to help move the dialogue process forward. Pakistan believes that mediation by a powerful Islamic country like Saudi Arabia could give a new direction to the talks.
No Official Response from India Yet
So far, the Indian government has not issued any formal response to Sharif’s statement or proposal. However, India has repeatedly maintained that “talks and terror cannot go hand in hand.” India’s stance has been that any dialogue is not possible until Pakistan stops supporting terrorism and cross-border infiltration.
