Iranian President’s Silence on Kashmir Suggests Diplomatic Balancing Act

Iran President Raisi arrived in Islamabad on Monday for a three-day visit, an event that drew attention to Iran’s delicate balancing act in its dealings with India and Pakistan. During a joint press conference, Pakistan’s Prime Minister attempted to secure Raisi’s support on the Kashmir issue but was met with refusal. Raisi’s silence on the matter signaled Iran’s careful navigation of its relationship with India, especially in the context of recent discussions on Palestine and their diplomatic and trade ties.

Despite Shehbaz Sharif’s attempt to link Iran’s stance on Gaza to that on Kashmir, Raisi refrained from discussing the latter, emphasizing Iran’s support for those fighting against oppression, particularly in Palestine. This stood as a snub to Sharif, indicating Iran’s unwillingness to take sides in the India-Pakistan dispute. Last year, the Indian Embassy highlighted the extensive historical and civilizational ties between India and Iran, emphasizing the depth of their relationship through high-level exchanges, commercial cooperation, cultural ties, and strong people-to-people connections.

The embassy’s press statement also outlined bilateral relations and visits between the two nations, which encompassed discussions on the violence in Palestine, as well as ties with BRICS nations. Given Iran’s bilateral ties with both India and Pakistan, maintaining a neutral stance on the Kashmir issue is paramount. The visit also took place against the backdrop of retaliatory strikes carried out by Iran and Pakistan against alleged terrorist hideouts on each other’s soil, demonstrating a concerted effort by both countries to mend their fractured ties.