Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif Urges US to Facilitate Dialogue with India
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called on the United States to help facilitate a comprehensive dialogue between Pakistan and India, specifically mentioning former President Donald Trump's potential role. This appeal occurs as Pakistan seeks to address global isolation over terrorism. India maintains its stance against third-party mediation, insisting talks cannot proceed while Pakistan supports terrorism, a point reiterated by an Indian parliamentary delegation in the US.
Unpacked:
India opposes third-party mediation because it maintains that all bilateral disputes, especially regarding Kashmir, should be resolved directly between India and Pakistan. India believes outside involvement could internationalize the issue and undermine its sovereignty. This position is rooted in the Simla Agreement of 1972, which called for bilateral resolution of disputes.
The primary source of tension is the territorial dispute over Kashmir, which both countries claim in full but control in part. The conflict began after the 1947 partition and has led to several wars and ongoing military skirmishes. Issues of terrorism and cross-border violence have also intensified hostilities.
The United States has often encouraged dialogue and peace between India and Pakistan but has avoided formal mediation, respecting India's preference for bilateral talks. The U.S. has sometimes acted as a behind-the-scenes facilitator or urged de-escalation during crises but has not taken an official mediating role.
The Kashmir conflict has fueled military buildups, frequent border skirmishes, and four wars between India and Pakistan. Both countries' nuclear capabilities raise the risks of escalation. The dispute has also contributed to political instability, human rights concerns, and periodic unrest in the region.