India has upped the
ante by blaming Pakistan for the tragedy, without providing credible evidence
of this country’s alleged involvement in the brutal slaying of tourists.
The recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam in the
Indian-administered Kashmir, which resulted in the tragic demise of numerous
tourists, has not only intensified India's animosity towards Pakistan but has
also garnered global scrutiny regarding the prospects of an extensive military
conflict.
Since gaining independence in 1947, Kashmir has been split
between India and Pakistan, with each country asserting ownership over the
entire region while controlling distinct areas. This division has resulted in
ongoing tensions that have escalated into conflict over time.
On Tuesday, at least 26 people were killed by suspected
rebels at a resort in Pahalgam, making this the deadliest such attack in a
quarter-century in Kashmir. A statement issued in the name of The Resistance
Front (TRF), which is said to be part of the Lashkar-e-Taiba armed group, based
in Pakistan, claimed responsibility.
The aftermath has prompted notable diplomatic pushback.
India has declared its exit from the Indus Waters Treaty, an important
water-sharing pact established by the World Bank in 1960, while Pakistan
countered by suspending a significant canal irrigation initiative and
prohibiting Indian flights from its airspace.
Pakistani officials have dismissed India's allegations, with
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif asserting that "blaming Pakistan won’t
address" the issue of Kashmir’s disputed status.
The Indian government has admitted failing to protect
tourists at Pahalgam, Mallikarjum Kharge, president of the All India Congress
Committee, said during a speech.
He added that the government confirmed during an all-party
meeting on Thursday that a security lapse allowed the attack to happen.
Kharge, who heads the opposition in the upper house of
India’s parliament, said a three-phase security plan was in place but
ultimately failed.
Amid this volatile situation, Iran has taken on the role of
a mediator, understanding the complex geopolitics of the subcontinent and
choosing not to take sides.
Iran’s diplomatic initiative is underscored by its
historical balancing act between India and Pakistan, maintaining strong ties
with both while advocating for regional stability.
On Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on
his X social account, “India and Pakistan are brotherly neighbors of Iran,
enjoying relations rooted in centuries-old cultural and civilizational ties,”
adding that “Tehran stands ready to use its good offices in Islamabad and New
Delhi to forge greater understanding at this difficult time”.
Given the nuclear-armed status of both India and Pakistan,
Iran’s mediation effort represents a crucial attempt to de-escalate tensions
and prevent further destabilization in South Asia.
Tehran’s stance reflects its broader regional strategy to
promote peace through dialogue and resist external powers’ divisive influences
in the Kashmir dispute.
Pakistan said on Saturday it is “fully prepared to cooperate
with any neutral investigators” following the Pahalgam attack.
In an editorial published on Saturday, Pakistan’s Dawn news
outlet said, “It is time again to give diplomacy a chance as neither Pakistan
nor India can afford war.”
The editorial added, “These are dangerous times in the
subcontinent, and there is a need for both Pakistan and India to show
restraint, and handle the post-Pahalgam developments with sense.
