Pakistan's Diplomatic Strategy: Seeking Global Support Amidst Rising Tensions with India
Pakistan's Global Diplomatic Initiative
Islamabad: On Monday, Pakistan detailed its diplomatic efforts aimed at securing international backing in light of the recent hostilities with India, emphasizing the necessity of dialogue to resolve ongoing issues between the nations.
According to a statement from the Foreign Office, this diplomatic initiative involves two separate delegations working to gain support for Pakistan.
This initiative follows India's dispatch of seven multi-party delegations to 33 countries as part of its own diplomatic efforts after a terrorist incident in Pahalgam that resulted in 26 fatalities.
Under the guidance of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, a high-level multi-party delegation is set to travel to New York, Washington DC, London, and Brussels starting June 2, 2025, as stated by the Foreign Office.
The delegation, consisting of nine members, is headed by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the Chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party and former Foreign Minister.
Other members include federal minister Musadik Malik, former foreign ministers Hina Rabbani Khar and Khurram Dastgir Khan, along with former ministers Syed Faisal Ali Subzwari and Sherry Rehman, and Senator Bushra Anjum Butt. Additionally, two former foreign secretaries, Jalil Abbas Jilani and Tehmina Janjua, are part of the team.
A second delegation, led by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi, will head to Moscow on the same date, although details regarding its members have not been disclosed.
Both delegations are expected to hold discussions with leaders from international organizations, government officials, senior bureaucrats, parliamentarians, think tanks, media representatives, and the diaspora, as per the Foreign Office.
The purpose of these visits is to present Pakistan's viewpoint on the recent Indian military actions and to advocate for dialogue and diplomacy over conflict.
A significant focus of the delegations will be the urgent need to resume normal operations under the Indus Waters Treaty, according to the Foreign Office.
Last month, Pakistan announced plans to send a team of experts to various foreign capitals to explain the four-day conflict with India and share its perspective on the situation.
Tensions between India and Pakistan intensified following the Pahalgam terror attack, leading India to conduct targeted strikes on terrorist infrastructure within Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir on May 7.
In response, Pakistan attempted to strike Indian military installations on May 8, 9, and 10, to which India reacted decisively.
The hostilities on the ground concluded with an agreement to cease military actions following discussions between the military operations directors of both nations on May 10.