Pakistan&rsquo;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has suggested that Saudi Arabia could serve as a neutral location for dialogue between Islamabad and New Delhi, adding that the United States might take the lead as mediator in future negotiations.
Addressing journalists in Islamabad on Thursday, Sharif stated that any formal engagement between Pakistan and India would occur at the level of National Security Advisors (NSAs), with discussions centred around four key areas: Kashmir, water, terrorism, and trade.
&ldquo;If there are going to be talks between India and Pakistan, they will be at the National Security Advisors (NSA) level,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;The agenda of the talks would be Kashmir, water, terrorism, and trade.&rdquo;
He noted that Saudi Arabia was a potential venue acceptable to both parties and emphasised that the United States could play a central role in facilitating such discussions. &ldquo;Saudi Arabia can be a neutral venue with the US leading mediations. But India has not agreed to any neutral venue for talks till now,&rdquo; Sharif remarked.
While considering other possibilities, Sharif mentioned China as a potential host but ruled it out as a neutral option, saying India would never agree to negotiations taking place there.
Sharif further pointed out that military tensions between the two countries were gradually decreasing, crediting the ongoing engagement between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) from both sides.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Tensions between India and Pakistan are de-escalating in phases since the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) on both sides started engaging with each other,&rdquo; he noted.
He confirmed that, should talks proceed, Pakistan&rsquo;s NSA would represent the country in the process.
Sharif also touched on domestic military affairs, revealing that the decision to elevate Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir to the rank of Field Marshal was made by the government after internal consultation and approval from the Pakistan Muslim League &ndash; Nawaz (PML-N) founder and his brother, Nawaz Sharif.&nbsp;
&ldquo;The decision to promote Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir to Field Marshal was taken solely by the government after consultation in the Federal Cabinet and getting a nod from Pakistan Muslim League &ndash; Nawaz (PML-N) founder and brother Nawaz Sharif,&rdquo; he said.
These comments follow a statement by former US President Donald Trump, who claimed that Washington had helped secure a ceasefire between the two nuclear neighbours. Trump also offered to mediate in future disputes. However, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri told a parliamentary committee that the decision to stop military operations was taken bilaterally between India and Pakistan.&nbsp;
Misri&rsquo;s clarification came after opposition lawmakers questioned the extent of US involvement, referencing Trump&rsquo;s repeated claims.
The backdrop to the diplomatic tension is the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists. India has accused Pakistan-based terrorists of carrying out the assault, further straining bilateral relations and drawing international concern over Pakistan&rsquo;s alleged support for terrorism.
In retaliation, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting what it described as terrorist infrastructure inside Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Indian forces executed coordinated strikes on nine locations, including prominent bases belonging to Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba in Bahawalpur and Muridke.&nbsp;
The operation employed Rafale fighter jets, BrahMos cruise missiles, and other sophisticated weapon systems.
Indian military officials, during a press briefing, said they did not seek further escalation but were fully prepared for any hostile action. They confirmed that Indian forces had responded to every Pakistani military provocation and remained in a heightened state of alert.&nbsp;
Following unsuccessful drone and missile attacks launched by Pakistan, Indian forces retaliated by damaging several Pakistani air and military installations.
On the same day as Sharif&rsquo;s remarks, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a large public gathering in Bikaner, Rajasthan, where he reinforced India&rsquo;s uncompromising position on terrorism and the Kashmir issue.
&ldquo;If there is to be any talk, it will be on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK),&rdquo; Modi said. &ldquo;If Pakistan continues to export terrorists, it will be left begging for every penny. It will not get a single drop of Indian water.&rdquo;
He warned of serious consequences if further violence occurred. &ldquo;Playing with the blood of Indians will cost Pakistan dearly,&rdquo; Modi declared.
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PM Shehbaz Sharif urges US mediation and proposes Saudi Arabia as neutral site for NSA-level India talks.

Shehbaz Proposes Saudi Venue for India-Pakistan Talks

PM Shehbaz Sharif urges US mediation and proposes Saudi Arabia as neutral site for NSA-level India talks.

May 22, 2025 | 17:41 IST