In another overture of peace, Pakistan on Tuesday once again extended the olive branch to arch-rival India and has offered composite dialogue with New Delhi to settle outstanding issues between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
The latest offer was extended by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. Addressing a news conference in New York, he stated that the dialogue would not be limited to terrorism, stressing that Pakistan has been one of the biggest victims of terrorism.
Dar also noted that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged Pakistan’s sacrifices in the war against terrorism during a recent meeting.
The deputy prime minister further elaborated that during the bilateral meeting with Rubio, the longstanding Jammu and Kashmir dispute was also discussed.
He underscored that permanent peace in the region is not possible without a resolution of the Kashmir issue, recalling that US President Donald Trump had raised the matter multiple times.
Speaking on the Indus Waters Treaty, the foreign minister said Islamabad’s stance is clear: the treaty is binding, and no single party can unilaterally terminate or amend it. He reiterated earlier warnings by the country’s leadership that any attempt to divert or block Pakistan’s share of water would be unacceptable.
Responding to another question, Dar stated that Pakistan has no plans to recognise Israel. He called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people.
He also reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
Dar described his visit to the United States as successful, noting that Pakistan raised its voice for reforms in the United Nations Security Council and stressed that the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) should be granted due representation in the global body.
The recent conflict between Pakistan and India marked a major military escalation between the two nuclear powers.
Tension between Pakistan and India increased after the April 22 Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which killed 26 tourists.
New Delhi immediately blamed Islamabad without providing any evidence. It also took a raft of major diplomatic measures to downgrade its ties with Pakistan.
Read: India hardens position on Pahalgam attack
Islamabad denied the allegations and offered an impartial probe into the incident.
On the night of May 7, the Indian Air Force launched an unprovoked attack on civilian targets in Pakistan. The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) immediately retaliated and shot down at least six IAF jets, including three French-built Rafales.
Read more: Decoding defeat: Five times Indian military officials admitted losses against Pakistan
Escalating further, on the night of 9–10 May, India launched another round of strikes against Pakistan, but this time targeted military sites and airbases.
In retaliation, Pakistan launched Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, striking back at Indian military installations, including missile storage sites, airbases and other strategic targets. The early morning strikes came as a shock for the Indian military leadership, who had underestimated Pakistan’s response to their unprovoked attacks.
As the conflict spiralled, US President Donald Trump announced on May 10 that a ceasefire had been reached following intense diplomatic efforts overnight. The two sides gradually reduced troop numbers from the international border in the following weeks.
A tense calm prevails between the two countries, with India continuing to issue beligerent statements.
