Iranian President's Lack of Commentary on Kashmir Indicates Diplomatic Balancing Act

Iranian President's Avoidance of the Issue Highlights Diplomatic Sensitivity in Maintaining Cordial Relations with India

New Delhi: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's visit to Islamabad saw discussions on bolstering bilateral relations with Pakistan. However, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's attempt to elicit support from Raisi on the Kashmir issue during their joint press conference did not yield the desired outcome. Raisi's avoidance of the topic underscores Iran's delicate balancing act as it seeks to maintain friendly ties with both Pakistan and India.

Raisi's reluctance to engage with the Kashmir issue during the press conference suggests Iran's cautious approach, particularly in light of its efforts to foster cordial relations with India. This is further evidenced by recent diplomatic talks between India and Iran concerning Palestine, as well as ongoing diplomatic and trade engagements between the two nations.

During the press conference, while Sharif expressed gratitude to Raisi and the people of Iran for their support on Kashmir, Raisi chose not to address the topic directly. Instead, he emphasized Iran's solidarity with those facing oppression, particularly in Palestine, thereby steering clear of explicitly discussing Kashmir.

Iranian President Raisi's recent visit to Islamabad and his subsequent silence on the Kashmir issue during a joint press conference with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif underscore the delicate diplomatic tightrope Iran navigates as it seeks to maintain cordial relations with both Pakistan and India.

Despite discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between Iran and Pakistan, Sharif's attempt to garner support from Raisi on the Kashmir issue did not yield the desired outcome. Raisi's silence on the matter suggests a strategic avoidance, possibly to avoid antagonizing India, with which Iran shares significant historical and civilizational ties.

The Indian Embassy in Tehran previously highlighted the enduring and meaningful relationship between India and Iran, emphasizing their long history of interactions and the strength of their bilateral ties. This relationship is marked by high-level exchanges, commercial cooperation, cultural connections, and robust people-to-people exchanges, further emphasizing the complexity of Iran's diplomatic balancing act between Pakistan and India.

In January, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian hosted Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar in Tehran, marking a significant diplomatic engagement. Their discussions encompassed various topics, including the ongoing violence in Palestine, as well as bilateral and multilateral relations with BRICS nations.

Given Iran's bilateral ties with both India and Pakistan, maintaining a neutral stance on sensitive issues such as Kashmir is paramount. Iran's efforts to engage with both countries while avoiding entanglement in their disputes underscore its commitment to preserving diplomatic equilibrium in the region. This neutral approach allows Iran to navigate complex geopolitical dynamics while safeguarding its own interests and promoting regional stability.

Iranian President Raisi's state visit to Pakistan holds significant diplomatic importance, occurring in the aftermath of retaliatory strikes between the two nations against alleged terrorist hideouts on each other's territories. This visit symbolizes a concerted effort by both Iran and Pakistan to mend their strained relations.

Notably, President Raisi's visit holds additional significance as he is the first foreign leader to visit Pakistan following the country's controversial general elections held on February 8. This timing underscores the importance both nations place on reinforcing bilateral ties and fostering regional stability. By engaging in high-level diplomatic discussions and visits, Iran and Pakistan demonstrate their commitment to resolving differences and promoting cooperation in various areas of mutual interest.

Source: ndtv