Iranian President Quiet on Kashmir Indicates Diplomatic Balancing Act

Iran President Raisi arrived in Islamabad Monday for a three-day visit. During their joint press conference, the Pakistan PM’s attempt to secure Ebrahim Raisi’s support on Kashmir failed.

The Iran President’s refusal to engage with the topic indicates Iran’s delicate balancing act as the country pursues cordial relations with India. This is underscored by recent talks between India and Iran on Palestine, besides diplomatic and trade ties.

Shehbaz Sharif sought to link Iran’s stance on the situation in Gaza with that in Kashmir during the press conference. However, President Raisi did not acknowledge the comment and refrained from bringing it up during his own speech, instead focusing on Iran’s support for those fighting against oppression, especially in Palestine.

His silence was a snub to Mr Sharif, who failed to secure Iran’s support on the India-Pakistan dispute. Last year, the Indian Embassy pointed out that Iran and India share a long history of meaningful relations.

A press statement by the Indian Embassy in Tehran detailed bilateral relations and high-level visits between the two nations. Their discussions covered the violence in Palestine, as well as bilateral and multilateral ties with BRICS nations.

Since Iran has bilateral ties with both India and Pakistan, maintaining a neutral stance on Kashmir is crucial. The Iran President’s state visit to Pakistan comes months after Iran and Pakistan carried out retaliatory strikes against alleged terrorist hideouts on each other’s lands.

It marks an active effort by both nations to mend their fractured ties.