New Delhi: Bilateral relations between India and Pakistan have been strained for decades. The Pahalgam terror attack has led to a further deterioration.
Blaming Pakistan for the ghastly act which killed 26 people, mostly tourists, after Lashkar-e-Taiba backed The Resistance Front claimed responsibility for the April 22 attack, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, stopped issuing visas to Pakistani nationals and closed the border.
Pakistan retaliated by putting the 1972 Shimla Agreement on hold, closed its airspace for all Indian aircraft and Indian-owned airlines and suspended all trade with its neighbour.
Taking the initiative to act as a responsible ally, Iran on Friday offered to mediate between India and Pakistan.
Iran’s Foreign minister Seyed Abbas Aragchi stated that Tehran was willing to help in restoring relations between the two neighbours.
“India and Pakistan are brotherly neighbours of Iran, enjoying relations rooted in centuries-old cultural and civilizational ties. Like other neighbours, we consider them our foremost priority,” Aragchi posted on X.
“Tehran stands ready to use its good offices in Islamabad and New Delhi to forge greater understanding at this difficult time, in line with the spirit taught by Persian poet Saadi,” he added.
Aragchi included a quote from the poet in his post, which read: “Human Beings are members of a whole In creation of one essence and soul If one member is inflicted with pain Other members uneasy will remain.”
Following Tuesday’s unprecedented attack on unarmed tourists, Iran’s Foreign ministry had condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack, describing it as a “flagrant violation of all international legal and humanitarian norms.”
New Delhi’s response to the Iranian offer is awaited, but many would be surprised if the India agree to a third party trying to mediate between the two countries which have been at loggerheads for long.
