Pakistan: PM Shehbaz fails to secure Iranian President’s support on J&K
Virendra Pandit
New Delhi: It was a routine visit. And it has remained precisely that.
For, Pakistan Prime Minister Mian Muhammed Shehbaz Sharif has failed to secure the support of the Iranian President on the Jammu and Kashmir issue, the media reported on the second day of the three-day visit of Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi.
President Raisi and PM Sharif on Monday discussed the strengthening of bilateral ties. However, the PM’s attempt to secure Raisi’s support on J&K during their joint press conference failed.
President Raisi’s refusal to engage with the topic indicates Iran’s delicate balancing act as his country pursues cordial relations with India. This is underscored by recent talks between India and Iran on Palestine, besides diplomatic and trade ties.
President Raisi arrived in Islamabad on Monday for a three-day visit. During their joint press conference, PM Sharif sought to link Iran’s stance on the situation in Gaza with that in Kashmir. Thanking President Raisi, he said, “I thank you and the people of Iran for raising your voice for Kashmir.”
However, President Raisi did not acknowledge the comment and refrained from bringing it up during his speech. Instead, he focused on Iran’s support for those fighting against oppression, especially in Palestine.
