RIYADH, Saudi Arabia: Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman on Wednesday welcomed the ceasefire agreement between Pakistan and India, expressing hope that the truce would help de-escalate tensions and restore calm in South Asia.
Speaking at the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit in Riyadh, the Crown Prince commended the efforts of US President Donald Trump for regional peace.
“We welcome the ceasefire agreement between Pakistan and India and hope that it will contain escalation and restore calm between the two countries,” the Crown Prince said.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman said that the GCC desires peace in the region and emphasised the need for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Crown Prince Mohammed said that the relationship between the GCC countries and the United States is strengthening.
Trump claims averting nuclear war
On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump reiterated the claim that his administration had helped broker peace between India and Pakistan to avert a “potential nuclear war” between the two South Asian countries, which he said could have killed millions.
“I think they are actually getting along. Maybe we can even get them together a little bit, Marco [Rubio],” he said, while speaking about the two nuclear-armed neighbours at the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh.
“Where they [Pak-India] go out and have a nice dinner together,” the US president added. He said that he “used trade to a large extent” for the ceasefire. “Let’s not trade nuclear missiles”
“And I said, fellas, come on, let’s make a deal. Let’s do some trading. Let’s not trade nuclear missiles. Let’s trade the things that you make so beautifully,” Trump said.
Earlier today, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, during his telephone conversation with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, reaffirmed his commitment to continued engagement with both Pakistan and India to advance peace and stability in the region.
The UN chief welcomed the ceasefire understanding between Pakistan and India. He also expressed condolences to PM Shehbaz over the loss of civilian lives. He said it was his duty to work for the promotion of international peace, which was needed by the world.
