Shehbaz Sharif Scrambles For Diplomatic Support As World Backs India's Anti-Terror Stance
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Faced with mounting diplomatic isolation, Shehbaz Sharif turned to traditional partners such as Turkey, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Tajikistan.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is making urgent diplomatic rounds across allied nations in a bid to shore up political support as Islamabad counters New Delhi's growing narrative following Operation Sindoor. The international response to India's operation- which targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK)- has been sympathetic to New Delhi as major powers including the United States, France, Japan, and the European Union openly backed India's right to self-defense while condemning cross-border terrorism.
Shehbaz Sharif's Diplomatic Overtures
Faced with mounting diplomatic isolation, Shehbaz Sharif turned to traditional partners such as Turkey, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Tajikistan. This week, Shehbaz Sharif met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Lachin on a symbolic day that saw the confluence of Pakistan's Youm-e-Takbeer (nuclear test commemoration) and Azerbaijan's Independence Day. In a tweet, Shehbaz Sharif wrote, 'Honoured to join my dear brothers, President Tayyip Erdogan @RTErdogan and President Ilham Aliyev @azpresident, in the beautiful city of Lachin on a historic day—when Pakistan marks Youm-e-Takbeer and our brotherly country, Azerbaijan, celebrates its Independence Day."
'We are now three nations, one heart," Shehbaz Sharif tweeted, signaling a deeper alignment between Pakistan, Turkey, and Azerbaijan as Islamabad seeks to counter India's expanding diplomatic alliances. Earlier, the Pakistan PM held a high-level meeting in Dushanbe with Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon, describing it as 'warm and cordial."
In another tweet, Shehbaz Sharif stated, 'I also briefed him regarding the recent Indian aggression against Pakistan. We agreed on the importance of regional peace and stability which are vital to the progress and prosperity of our peoples."
India's Global Diplomatic Outreach
In contrast, New Delhi is leveraging the success of Operation Sindoor as India swiftly dispatched diplomatic delegations to key global capitals in a coordinated effort to consolidate support and reinforce its anti-terror narrative. Led by senior officials from the Ministry of External Affairs and National Security Council, these delegations have engaged with counterparts in various countries, presenting detailed briefings on the operation and intelligence.
A key message conveyed was that there can be no equivalence between those who dispatch terrorists and those who defend themselves, and that India will not differentiate between governments sponsoring terrorism and the masterminds of terror. The delegations also highlighted Pakistan's continued support for UN-designated terrorists and the need for accountability.
Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated!
First Published:
May 30, 2025, 09:20 IST
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