Chances of renewed India-Pakistan conflict 'remote', says Pakistani foreign minister
Pakistan's Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has said that the likelihood of a renewed armed conflict with India is 'remote,' though he warned that any aggression would be met with a strong response.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Mr. Dar discussed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's recent diplomatic visits to Turkiye, Iran, Azerbaijan, and Tajikistan. He used the occasion to thank these countries for their support during last month's tensions with India following the deadly April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives.
'Not Desperate for Dialogue'
Responding to questions about the possibility of another military clash, Mr. Dar said, 'The ceasefire is intact, and both sides have withdrawn troops as agreed. So, I believe the chances of a new war are very slim. However, if India chooses conflict, Pakistan will respond appropriately.'
While reaffirming Pakistan's readiness for talks, he added that Islamabad is not desperate. He called for a composite dialogue that covers terrorism, the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), and other key issues. Mr. Dar also asserted that the IWT—signed in 1960 to manage water-sharing between the two nations—cannot be suspended, responding to India's move to place the treaty in abeyance after the Pahalgam attack.
Call for Neutral Probe into Pahalgam Attack
Mr. Dar reiterated Pakistan's offer for an impartial investigation into the Pahalgam incident, which triggered the brief but intense military escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbours.
Following India's precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7, Pakistan attempted retaliatory strikes over the next three days. India responded with severe damage to Pakistani military targets, including airbases and command centres.
Global Mediation and Outreach
Mr. Dar acknowledged the diplomatic roles played by countries such as the U.S., U.K., Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, and Iran, which he said were instrumental in de-escalating the conflict. He also confirmed that Prime Minister Sharif would visit Saudi Arabia within 24 hours to personally thank its leadership.
The Minister praised Pakistan's diplomatic efforts, crediting former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for enhancing the country's international standing with clear and effective outreach.
Competing Narratives on the Global Stage
Both India and Pakistan have intensified global outreach following the hostilities. India dispatched seven multi-party delegations to 33 countries to highlight Pakistan's alleged involvement in terror activities and justify its military response.
In parallel, Pakistan also announced plans to send expert delegations to various foreign capitals to present its perspective on the four-day conflict and the broader bilateral issues.
As of May 10, India and Pakistan reached an understanding to halt all military operations across land, air, and sea borders. The situation remains fragile but under control, with both countries now shifting focus to diplomatic engagement.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
31 minutes ago
- Time of India
A month after Operation Sindoor's start, 2 trains send message to Pakistan
KATRA: PM Narendra Modi on Friday sought to rally people of Jammu and Kashmir against terrorism, saying Pakistan targeted the UT's tourism industry to cripple the livelihood of poor Kashmiris and accused the hostile neigbour of attacking both humanity and Kashmiriyat in Pahalgam, where terrorists had killed 25 tourists. Addressing a public gathering after flagging off two Vande Bharat trains between Katra and Srinagar, and launching other development projects, he said, "Our neighbouring country is against humanity, against harmony, against tourism... Pakistan attacked both humanity and Kashmiriyat in Pahalgam. Their intention was to incite communal riots in India..." Addressing his first public meeting in J&K after the Pahalgam massacre and Operation Sindoor , Modi said Pakistan's deliberate attack on tourists hurt local workers, including horse riders, porters, guides, guest house owners, and shopkeepers, aiming to destroy their livelihoods. "Terrorists also killed Adil, (pony ride operator) who challenged them. He too had gone there to work hard to take care of his family," Modi said. Modi said the hostile neighbour carried out brutal attacks, which the world witnessed, when it destroyed homes, bombed schools and hospitals, and shelled temples, mosques, and gurdwaras. He lauded the resilience of the people of J&K. "The youth of J&K have now made up their mind to give a befitting reply to terrorism, which burnt schools in the Valley and destroyed the future of two generations. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Due to terrorism it also became a big challenge for the public to choose representatives of their choice and hold elections," he said. "The atmosphere of development which has been created in J&K is not going to halt due to the Pahalgam terror attack. If anyone tries to create an obstruction in the way of the youth fulfilling their dreams, then that obstacle will have to face Modi first," the PM said. He recalled that exactly one month ago, on the intervening night of May 6-7, India had executed Operation Sindoor, delivering a decisive blow to Pakistan-based terrorists and terror camps. "Whenever Pakistan hears the name of Operation Sindoor, it will be reminded of its humiliating defeat," he said.
New Indian Express
an hour ago
- New Indian Express
Pakistan writes fourth letter to India, requests revival of Indus pact amid water crisis
Pakistan has written to India for the fourth time, requesting it to reconsider its decision to put the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) on hold, according to multiple reports. The IWT was suspended following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that resulted in the death of 26 civilians. Pakistan is on the verge of a water crisis and appears to be desperate, according to reports. Reports stated that Pakistan wrote to India on the IWT even after Operation Sindoor. Prime Minister Modi had earlier underlined the government's uncompromising position that "water and blood cannot flow together" and "terror and talks cannot happen at the same time". According to government sources, India is currently not interested in holding talks with Pakistan on this issue, and the treaty will remain suspended. The four letters sent by Syed Ali Murtaza, Secretary of Pakistan's Ministry of Water Resources, were addressed to the Ministry of Jal Shakti, which has since then forwarded them to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), sources indicated. In the letters, Murtaza has urged India to reinstate the agreement. Invoking its national security powers, India has stated that the treaty will stay suspended until Islamabad "credibly and permanently" stops supporting cross-border terrorism. This decision was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), the highest body for strategic matters. This marks the first time New Delhi has paused the World Bank-backed agreement.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Pakistan attacked Kashmiriyat and Insaniyat on April 22: PM Modi
Sangaldan: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said " Pakistan attacked both Kashmiriyat and Insaniyat in Pahalgam on April 22. That was intended to incite violence in India and cripple the earnings of hardworking Kashmiris". "Pakistan's repeated attempts to disrupt this progress mean that it stands against humanity, social harmony and economic prosperity," he said addressing a public gathering at Katra. The PM said that this deliberate attack on tourists was meant to sabotage the flourishing tourism industry in J&K, which had witnessed record number of visitors over the past few years. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. "Pakistan's malicious intent directly impacted local workers, including horse riders, porters, guides, guest house owners, and shopkeepers," said Modi adding, "Adil stood against terrorists, but tragically lost his life while striving to support his family through honest labour." The PM said his government is committed to protecting the people of J&K and ensuring that terrorism never succeeds in halting progress. The PM said that on this very night, a month ago, India executed Operation Sindoor , delivering a decisive blow to Pakistan-based terrorists. "Whenever Pakistan hears the name of Operation Sindoor, it will be reminded of humiliating defeat." He said 2,000 families were affected by shelling and their pain is the nation's pain. He announced formation of two new border battalions for J&K. The PM said locals aspire to revive J&K as a premier destination for film shoots and develop it into a hub for sports. He also made a special appeal to the youth of J&K, urging them to actively participate in India's manufacturing revolution. "Operation Sindoor demonstrated the strength of Atmanirbhar Bharat , and today, the world is recognising India's defence ecosystem," said Modi, adding: "India has emerged as a leading defence exporter over the past decade, and the next goal is to position India among the world's top defence exporters."
