In a significant diplomatic move, Saudi Arabia appeared to align with India’s position on the Jammu and Kashmir issue in a joint statement signed with Pakistan, urging both nations to address their “outstanding issues” through bilateral means.
The statement emerged following a formal meeting between Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Arabia’s de-facto ruler, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, held on April 7 at the Al-Safa Palace in Mecca. It emphasized the necessity of dialogue between Pakistan and India to resolve their lingering disputes, particularly highlighting the Jammu and Kashmir conflict as crucial for regional peace and stability.
India has consistently maintained that the matter of Kashmir is a bilateral affair between itself and Pakistan, rejecting any mediation or intervention by external parties.
Despite longstanding friendly relations between India, Pakistan, and Arab nations, notably Saudi Arabia, ties between New Delhi and Riyadh have notably strengthened under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Saudi Arabia’s stance on Jammu and Kashmir has been characterized by a balanced approach. While expressing concern over India’s revocation of Article 370 in August 2019, the Kingdom refrained from explicitly condemning the action, referring to it as an internal matter of New Delhi.
In 2019, Pakistan had sought US intervention to initiate talks with India for the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue, following an offer of mediation by then US President Donald Trump. However, India’s External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, reiterated that any discussions regarding the matter would exclusively occur bilaterally between India and Pakistan.
India has consistently reaffirmed that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the country, emphasizing its desire for normal, peaceful relations with Pakistan, contingent upon an environment devoid of terrorism, hostility, and violence.
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