Saudi Arabia is actively working to ease India-Pakistan tensions after a fatal attack in Kashmir killed 26 tourists, a senior Saudi official told AFP.
Nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan exchanged cross-border fire after Tuesday’s attack in Pahalgam. New Delhi accused Islamabad of involvement, but Pakistan denied responsibility. The UN urged both nations to exercise “maximum restraint.”
Kingdom Urges Dialogue to Prevent Escalation
“The Kingdom urges dialogue to prevent escalation between India and Pakistan,” the Saudi official stated. “Both are allies, and stability remains our priority.”
Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan held separate calls with Indian and Pakistani diplomats Friday. He discussed de-escalation strategies and regional developments, his office confirmed.
Kashmir split between India and Pakistan in 1947, with both nations claiming full sovereignty, fueling decades of conflict. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short a Saudi visit after the attack.
Riyadh recently hosted U.S.-Russia talks to mend ties post-Ukraine war. Additionally, it facilitated discussions on Sudan’s conflict and Lebanon-Syria border disputes, solidifying its global peacemaking influence.
As a trusted regional power, Saudi Arabia’s intervention highlights its strategic diplomacy to stabilize ally relations and curb broader geopolitical risks.
