Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Sunday told Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that dialogue was needed to resolve “heightened friction” between Pakistan and India during a meeting in Riyadh, news agency Reuters reported.
The comments came during Shehbaz Sharif’s first overseas visit since being chosen to lead the country following the controversial February elections.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was invited to Iftar by Saudi Crown Prince MBS today
He also had a one to one meeting afterwards
Foreign, finance, defence ministers and CM Punjab also in attendance pic.twitter.com/mGHRFnCg3h
— Faseeh Mangi (@FaseehMangi) April 7, 2024
“The two sides stressed the importance of dialogue between Pakistan and India to resolve the outstanding issues between the two countries, especially the Jammu and Kashmir dispute to ensure peace and stability in the region,” a joint statement released by Pakistan’s foreign office and the Saudi government, accessed by Reuters, said.
Tensions between both countries remain high as Pakistan continues to support terrorism through its deep state and uses terror as part of its statecraft to create instability in Jammu and Kashmir as well as in other parts of the subcontinent.
India has maintained that it will not compromise on issues like terrorism and has criticised Islamabad’s objection to removal of Article 370 which granted special status to erstwhile states of Jammu and Kashmir, while accusing it of backing and protecting terrorists and terror groups who have threatened India’s security.