Saudi Arabia urges India, Pakistan to reduce tensions

Riyadh

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan spoke separately with India’s EAM S. Jaishankar and Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday. The calls aimed to ease rising tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

According to Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry, the conversations focused on de-escalating military actions. The minister emphasized the Kingdom's commitment to peace and its strong ties with both India and Pakistan.

The diplomatic push comes as Pakistan continues attacks on Indian regions like Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, and Rajasthan, including civilian and religious areas. India launched Operation Sindoor this week, targeting terror hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, where 26 civilians died.

Tensions have continued to grow since that attack, which India links to groups based in Pakistan. Saudi Arabia had earlier condemned the Pahalgam incident and offered condolences to India.

On Thursday, Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir visited New Delhi. Officials described the visit as unscheduled and urgent. He also visited Pakistan, following Saudi leadership's orders to support peace efforts.

Saudi Arabia stressed the need to resolve disputes through dialogue and diplomacy. The country reaffirmed its opposition to terrorism and any targeting of civilians.

India’s Jaishankar told the Saudi envoy that New Delhi remains firm in its fight against terrorism and will continue defending its people and interests.

With Saudi Arabia pushing both nations toward calm, global attention remains focused on whether diplomacy can prevent further escalation in the region.