After Op Sindoor, Shehbaz Sharif Offers Peace Talks; India Firm on PoJK, Terror Issues

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that his country is willing to hold talks with India to resolve old disputes, including Kashmir, water-sharing, and trade. However, India has made it clear that it will only talk to Pakistan about the return of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) and the issue of terrorism.

 

 

Sharif made these comments during a joint press conference with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday in Tehran. He said, “We are ready to talk, for the sake of peace on water issues with our neighbour.” He also added, “We are ready to talk to promote trade and also, counter-terrorism…”

 

 

 

 

Sharif said, “We wanted peace, we want peace and we will work for peace in the region through talks, on the table and resolve our outstanding issues”.

 

 

“But if they choose to remain aggressors, then we shall defend our territory … like we have done a few days ago,” Sharif said. He also added, “But if they accept my offer of peace, then we will show that we really want peace, seriously and sincerely.”

 

 

Sharif’s comments come at a time when he is visiting four regional countries, with visits already completed to Turkey and Iran, and more planned to Tajikistan and Azerbaijan.

 

 

Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also appealed for peace and dialogue, saying he supports a durable ceasefire between India and Pakistan and wants all regional nations to talk and solve issues through peaceful means.

 

 

 

 

Tensions between India and Pakistan have been high since the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, in which 26 lives were lost. In response, India carried out precision strikes as part of Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK. Pakistan responded with attempted attacks on Indian military bases on May 8, 9, and 10, but India gave a strong counter-response to each.

 

 

India continues to maintain that talks can only happen if Pakistan first acts against terrorism and vacates illegally occupied Jammu Kashmir.