Russia has offered to mediate in resolving the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan following a recent militant attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov made the proposal during a phone conversation with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Sunday, according to a statement from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as reported by Reuters.
Lavrov, who spoke with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar two days earlier, emphasized Russia’s readiness to assist in a political resolution if both New Delhi and Islamabad are willing. The Russian ministry’s statement, posted on Telegram, highlighted its concern over the escalating conflict triggered by the April 22 terrorist incident in the Pahalgam region of Indian-administered Kashmir.
The attack, which killed 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen in the popular tourist area, has sharply escalated tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. In response, India revoked the Indus Waters Treaty and canceled all visas for Pakistani nationals, ordering those already in the country to leave within a specified time.
Additionally, India banned all imports from Pakistan and prohibited Pakistani-flagged vessels from entering Indian waters. In retaliation, Pakistan annulled the Simla Agreement signed with India, further deteriorating diplomatic relations between the two countries.
India has long accused Pakistan of supporting separatist militants in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir, which has been a flashpoint for decades. The two countries have previously fought two wars over the territory.