ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi arrived in Islamabad on Monday for a one-day official visit, amid escalating tensions between Pakistan and India following a deadly attack on tourists last month in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
According to officials, Iran’s Foreign Minister was welcomed at Islamabad Airport by Additional Secretary West Asia Syed Asad Gillani, Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam, and other senior Pakistani officials.
During his brief visit, Araqchi is scheduled to hold high-level meetings with Pakistan’s top leadership, including President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar.
The visit comes as Islamabad accuses India of planning military action, a charge that has raised fears of conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbours. India, on the other hand, has blamed Pakistan for the attack, an accusation Pakistan firmly denies.
Iran’s Foreign Minister will discuss the rising tension between Pakistan and India, with Iranian officials confirming that the issue will be central to the meetings. Ambassador Moghadam told state media that Iran hopes to explore ways to reduce tensions in the region, citing Tehran’s close ties with both Islamabad and New Delhi.
Araqchi is expected to travel to India later this week, although it is unclear whether the visit was scheduled before the recent escalation. The Iranian foreign ministry has previously expressed concern over the growing hostility and offered to mediate between the two countries to help restore peace in the region.
According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO), the visit by Iran’s Foreign Minister highlights the strong and historic relationship between the two countries and their shared commitment to regional peace and cooperation. The two sides are also expected to discuss global and regional developments during the meetings.
Pakistan’s FO added that Islamabad has been in contact with several countries to highlight the growing threat posed by India’s “aggressive actions”. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar recently held a telephone call with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, who urged restraint from both sides and stressed the importance of diplomacy.
