Saudi Foreign Minister Urges De-Escalation in India-Pakistan Tensions
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – May 10, 2025
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, held separate telephone calls with India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, on Saturday, urging both nations to de-escalate tensions following a spike in military confrontations. The diplomatic outreach comes amid heightened hostilities sparked by the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians, mostly tourists, and triggered India’s retaliatory Operation Sindoor.
Context of the Crisis
The Pahalgam attack, described by Indian officials as a “barbaric” act of cross-border terrorism, led to India’s downgrade of diplomatic ties with Pakistan, suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, and closure of the Attari border crossing. On May 7, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting nine alleged terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Pakistan responded with Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, or “Iron Wall,” firing Al-Fatah missiles and claiming Indian strikes killed 31 civilians—a figure India disputes. Intermittent clashes along the Line of Control (LoC) continue, with Pakistan alleging Indian drone and missile attacks on its airbases, while India reports intercepting Pakistani missiles.
Saudi Arabia’s Diplomatic Push
Prince Faisal’s calls, confirmed by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, focused on ending military confrontations and promoting dialogue. “During the calls, discussions focused on efforts to de-escalate tensions and end ongoing military confrontations,” the ministry stated, emphasizing Saudi Arabia’s “commitment to the security and stability of the region” and its “close and balanced relations” with both nations.
The Saudi initiative follows an unannounced visit by Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir to New Delhi on May 8, where he met Jaishankar to discuss counter-terrorism and the Pahalgam attack’s cross-border linkages. Al-Jubeir also visited Islamabad on May 9, meeting Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to reinforce calls for restraint. The Saudi Foreign Ministry noted that these efforts were directed by the kingdom’s leadership to resolve disputes through “dialogue and diplomatic channels.”
Broader International Efforts
Saudi Arabia’s intervention is part of a broader diplomatic push to prevent escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbors. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Jaishankar, Dar, and Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir, urging “direct communication” to avoid miscalculations and offering U.S. support for “constructive talks.” The European Union’s Kaja Kallas and Switzerland’s Ignazio Cassis also called for restraint, while Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, after visiting both capitals, offered to mediate, citing cultural ties.
Stances of India and Pakistan
India maintains that its response was “targeted and measured” to counter terrorism, with Jaishankar warning of a “very firm response” to further attacks. During a May 8 meeting with Iran’s Araghchi, Jaishankar described India’s actions as proportionate but reiterated a zero-tolerance policy for terrorism. Pakistan, meanwhile, denies involvement in the Pahalgam attack, with Dar calling India’s allegations “baseless” and warning of a strong response to further aggression. Dar told Saudi and U.S. officials that Pakistan would consider de-escalation if India halts attacks, but Pakistani forces are mobilizing along the LoC, signaling readiness for escalation.
Challenges and Outlook
Despite diplomatic efforts, tensions remain high. India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri dismissed Pakistan’s claims of attacking Indian airbases as “lies and propaganda,” while Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned that escalation could have global consequences, though he ruled out nuclear options for now. Posts on X reflect public sentiment, with users like @hindustanherald noting Saudi Arabia’s emphasis on “peace, stability, and dialogue,” while others express skepticism about de-escalation amid ongoing skirmishes.
Saudi Arabia’s role as a mediator leverages its strong ties with both nations—India as a key economic partner and Pakistan as a long-standing ally. However, the entrenched positions of both sides, coupled with domestic pressures—Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vow to “punish terrorists” and Pakistan’s resolve to “defend national interests”—complicate de-escalation. The reported back-channel contact between the national security advisors of both countries, as claimed by Dar, offers a glimmer of hope, though India has not confirmed this.
As the international community watches closely, Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic efforts underscore the urgency of preventing a broader conflict in South Asia. Whether these calls for dialogue can halt the cycle of retaliation remains uncertain, but they highlight the kingdom’s growing role in regional stability.
By [Your Name], with contributions from The Hindu, Free Press Journal, Anadolu Agency, and posts on X
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