In a noteworthy diplomatic move, Saudi Arabia appeared to align with Bharat’s stance on the Jammu and Kashmir issue in a joint statement signed with Pakistan, urging both nations to address their “outstanding issues” through bilateral ways.
The statement surfaced following a formal meeting between Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Arabia’s de-facto ruler Prince Mohammed bin Salman held at the Al-Safa Palace in Mecca on April 7. It called upon the necessity of dialogue between Bharat and Pakistan to resolve their lingering disputes, specifically highlighting the Jammu and Kashmir conflict as crucial for regional peace and stability.
Bharat has consistently maintained that the matter of Kashmir is a bilateral affair between itself and Pakistan, rejecting any mediation or intervention by external parties.
Despite longstanding friendly relations between India, Pakistan, and Arab nations, notably Saudi Arabia, ties between New Delhi and Riyadh have notably strengthened under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Saudi Arabia’s stance on Jammu and Kashmir has been characterized by a balanced approach. While expressing concern over Bharat’s revocation of Article 370 in August 2019, the Kingdom refrained from explicitly condemning the action, referring to it as an internal matter of New Delhi.
In 2019, Pakistan had sought US intervention to initiate talks with Bharat for the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue, following an offer of mediation by then US President Donald Trump. However, Bharat’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reiterated that any discussions regarding the matter would exclusively occur bilaterally between Bharat and Pakistan.
Bharat has consistently reaffirmed that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the country, outlining its desire for normal, peaceful relations with Pakistan, contingent upon an environment devoid of terrorism, hostility, and violence.
