Turkish, Pakistani foreign ministers discuss tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar held a phone call Saturday to discuss the escalating tensions between Pakistan and India, diplomatic sources said.

The conversation focused on the aftermath of the April 22 attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, where unidentified gunmen killed 26 people, including 25 tourists and one resident.

Attack in Kashmir sparks diplomatic fallout

New Delhi described the incident in Pahalgam as a “terror attack” with “cross-border links,” accusing Pakistan of involvement.

Islamabad, however, distanced itself from the attack, expressing concern and offering condolences to the victims’ families.

In response to the attack, both countries took a series of retaliatory measures.

India suspended the decades-old Indus Waters Treaty, expelled Pakistani military advisors, and suspended visa services for Pakistani citizens.

Pakistan reciprocated by expelling Indian military advisors, suspending trade, limiting the number of Indian diplomats in Islamabad, closing its airspace to Indian airlines, and warning that any attempt to alter river flows under the treaty would be considered an “act of war.”

Pakistan calls for neutral investigation

Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif stated that Pakistan was open to participating in any “neutral and transparent” investigation into the Kashmir attack.

“Pakistan is ready to engage in any impartial, transparent, and credible investigation,” Sharif said at a military parade in Kakul, criticizing India for leveling “baseless accusations,” against Islamabad.

Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif also indicated a willingness to cooperate with international investigators, warning in remarks to The New York Times that any escalation could be disastrous for the region.

Border clashes and international reactions

Minor clashes have been reported along the Line of Control (LoC) separating Indian- and Pakistani-administered Kashmir, though no casualties have been officially confirmed.

The United Nations Security Council condemned the attack in Kashmir and emphasized that terrorism remains a serious threat to international peace and security.

U.N. Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric also urged both India and Pakistan to exercise maximum restraint amid rising tensions.

Trump comments on India-Pakistan tensions

U.S. President Donald Trump weighed in on the situation, noting that “there’s great tension between Pakistan and India, but there always has been,” during comments aboard Air Force One.

“They have had that fight for a thousand years in Kashmir,” Trump said, adding, “They’ll get it figured out one way or the other.”