ISLAMABAD: The United States Chargé d’Affaires, Natalie Baker, on Wednesday called on Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and exchanged views on recent regional developments in the wake of the Pahalgam incident, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson said in a statement.
During the meeting, Ishaq Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace and security while safeguarding national interests.
The US Chargé d’Affaires conveyed the US desire for de-escalation and that it will stay engaged with both countries on the evolving situation.
“The US Cd’A conveyed the U.S. desire for de-escalation and that it will stay engaged with both countries on the evolving situation,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson said.
Tensions escalated between Pakistan and India after gunmen attacked local tourists in the Pahalgam area of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) on 22 April, killing 26 people and injuring 17.
India swiftly blamed Pakistan for the attack without presenting any credible evidence. Pakistan condemned the attack and strongly rejected the Indian government’s baseless accusations.
US Chargé d’Affaires, Natalie Baker, called on the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50. They exchanged views on recent regional developments.
DPM/FM reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace and security while safeguarding… pic.twitter.com/C0SQ9T6UzQ
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) April 30, 2025
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday said Islamabad was open to any “neutral and transparent” investigation into the Pahalgam attack. However, New Delhi has yet to respond to Pakistan’s offer.
“The recent tragedy in Pahalgam is yet another example of this perpetual blame game, which must come to a grinding halt,” PM Shehbaz said.
Rubio to hold talks with Pakistan, Indian foreign minister
The US has stepped in diplomatically, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio set to speak with the foreign ministers of both countries within the next 24 hours to urge restraint and avoid further escalation.
“We are reaching out to both parties, and telling, of course, them to not escalate the situation,” US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce told reporters during a press briefing.
According to Bruce, Secretary Rubio is expected to hold direct conversations with both Pakistani and Indian foreign ministers on Wednesday, emphasising the importance of restraint and open dialogue.
“Secretary Rubio believes diplomacy must take the lead,” the spokesperson added, noting that he has also encouraged “other foreign ministers around the world to do the same” and support efforts to maintain regional stability.
UN chief urges Pakistan, India to avoid confrontation
Earlier on Tuesday, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appreciated Pakistan’s efforts for peace in South Asia and said that the world could not afford any escalation in the region at a crucial time.
According to a readout issued by the UN Secretary-General spokesman Stéphane Dujarric, the UN chief, in his separate telephone conversations with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, condemned the 22 April attack in Pahalgam.
Guterres stressed the need for justice and accountability to be pursued strictly through lawful and transparent means, underlining the importance of preventing any further escalation.
Expressing grave concern over the rising tensions between India and Pakistan, the UN Secretary-General emphasised the urgency of avoiding a confrontation that could have dire consequences for the region and beyond.
Recalling the UN’s long-standing commitment to regional peace and stability, he offered his Good Offices to support de-escalation efforts and encouraged both parties to exercise maximum restraint in the interest of regional and global peace.
China urges restraint
Earlier, China urged both India and Pakistan to “exercise restraint” and “properly handle relevant differences through dialogue and consultation,” according to Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun.
Guo reaffirmed China’s support for a fair investigation into the Pahalgam attack and stressed the importance of peaceful coexistence for regional stability.
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, during a phone call with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, reiterated Beijing’s consistent support for Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts and its legitimate security concerns.
Saudi Arabia voices concern over South Asia tensions
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday expressed concern over the heightened tensions between Pakistan and India after the Pahalgam incident.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expresses its concern regarding the escalating tension between the Republic of India and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan,” the ministry said in a statement on X.
#بيان | تُعرب المملكة العربية السعودية عن قلقها بشأن التوتر المتصاعد بين كل من جمهورية الهند وجمهورية باكستان الإسلامية pic.twitter.com/f3HQlgTJ8i
— وزارة الخارجية 🇸🇦 (@KSAMOFA) April 30, 2025
The Kingdom urged both nations to de-escalate, avoid further escalation, and resolve their disagreements through diplomatic channels.
The ministry asked the two countries to uphold the principles of good neighbourliness and strive for stability and peace for the welfare of their people and region.
Pakistan warns of befitting response to any Indian misadventures
Earlier on Tuesday late night, Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar reiterated that any military adventurism by India would be responded to assuredly and decisively.
In a video statement, the minister said Pakistan has credible intelligence that India intends to carry out military action against Pakistan in the next 24-36 hours on the pretext of baseless and concocted allegations of involvement in the Pahalgam incident.
He said the Indian self-assumed hubristic role of Judge, Jury and Executioner in the region is reckless and vehemently rejected.
India running terror network in Pakistan: DG ISPR
Earlier, Pakistan military’s spokesman, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, presented irrefutable evidence revealing India’s involvement in undertaking cross-border terrorism inside Pakistan.
Addressing a press conference in Rawalpindi, the military’s spokesman revealed that a full-fledged Indian terror network has been uncovered within Pakistan.
The DG ISPR said that seven days had passed since the Pahalgam incident, but so far, India had not provided a “shred of evidence” for its “baseless allegations” against Pakistan.
He dismissed India’s accusations of terrorism against Pakistan as baseless and countered that New Delhi is, in fact, operating terrorist networks inside Pakistan.
