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Relations between the two South Asian countries plummeted after
a massacre of tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir in April.
The nuclear-armed rivals stepped closer to war in the weeks that
followed, attacking each other until intense diplomatic efforts,
led by the U.S., resulted in a truce for which Trump took
credit.
It was this “decisive diplomatic intervention and pivotal
leadership” that Pakistan praised in an effusive message
Saturday night on the X platform when it announced its formal
recommendation for him to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
Less than 24 hours later, however, it condemned the U.S. for
attacking Iran, saying the strikes “constituted a serious
violation of international law” and the statute of the
International Atomic Energy Agency.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a phone call Sunday
with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, expressed his concern
that the bombings had targeted facilities that were under the
safeguards of the IAEA. Pakistan has close ties with Iran and
supports its attacks on Israel, saying it has the right to
self-defense.
There was no immediate comment on Monday from Islamabad about
the Trump Nobel recommendation, which also followed a
high-profile White House lunch meeting between the president and
Pakistan’s powerful army chief, Asim Munir.
Thursday’s meeting, which lasted more than two hours, was also
attended by the Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Steve Witkoff,
the U.S. Special Representative for Middle Eastern Affairs.
According to a Pakistani military statement, a detailed exchange
of views took place on the “prevailing tensions between Iran and
Israel, with both leaders emphasizing the importance of the
resolution of the conflict.”
While Pakistan was quick to thank Trump for his intervention in
its crisis with India, New Delhi played it down and said there
was no need for external mediation on the Kashmir issue.
The Himalayan region of Kashmir is divided between Pakistan and
India but claimed by both in its entirety. India accuses
Pakistan of backing militant groups in the region, which
Pakistan denies.
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