Russia urges diplomatic path to de-escalate India-Pakistan tensions

ISTANBUL

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar discussed bilateral ties as well as rising India-Pakistan tension following last month's attack in Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir.

During his phone conversation on Friday, Lavrov called for resolving disputes between New Delhi and Islamabad "by political and diplomatic means on a bilateral basis," reaffirming Russia's support for the principles outlined in the 1972 Simla Agreement and the 1999 Lahore Declaration, according to a readout issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry on Saturday.

The two top diplomats also reviewed the schedule for upcoming top-level contacts between Russia and India, reaffirming continued engagement.

The discussion comes as tensions are running high between the nuclear-armed neighbors following the attack in the Pahalgam tourist resort that claimed the lives of 26 people.

India blamed Pakistan, saying the attack had “cross-border links.” Islamabad denied and instead offered a neutral probe with third-party monitoring.

Both countries have taken diplomatic measures against each other, including canceling visas for each other’s citizens and recalling some diplomatic staff.

India also suspended its participation in the Indus Waters Treaty, a 1960 water use and distribution agreement with Pakistan.

In recent days, many countries, including the US, have contacted leaders of both countries in an attempt to ease tensions.