Just A Month Ago, Iran President Ebrahim Raisi Embarrassed Pakistan On Kashmir Issue

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who has been killed in a chopper crash, had visited Pakistan, last month.

In the midst of West Asia's volatile geopolitics, Iran rebuffed Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's earnest attempt to elevate the Kashmir issue onto the international platform during Raisi's visit to Islamabad, intended to address their strained bilateral relations.

At a press briefing following their talks on April 22, Prime Minister Sharif raised the Kashmir matter and expressed gratitude towards Iran for its stance. However, Iranian President Raisi snubbed his counterpart by refraining from mentioning Kashmir and instead talked about Iran's support for those fighting against oppression especially in Palestine.

Sharif's sense of urgency to redirect focus onto the Kashmir issue was palpable as he welcomed the first foreign guest since taking office.

However, Pakistan and Iran later issued a joint statement affirming their agreement that the Kashmir issue should be resolved through peaceful means based on the will of the region's people. They emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving disputes.

"Both sides highlighted the need to resolve the issue of Kashmir through dialogue and peaceful means based on the will of the people of that region, and in accordance with international law," the statement said.

After the Kashmir issue was included in the joint statement concluding Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's visit to Pakistan, India raised concerns with Iranian authorities, according to Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

"We have taken up the matter with Iranian authorities," Spox Jaiswal said on being asked how MEA sees the joint statement on Kashmir issue.

President Raisi's official visit to Pakistan from April 22-24, at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, was accompanied by a high-level delegation including Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian and other cabinet members.

Under Raisi's leadership, India secured a landmark 10-year deal to develop and manage Iran's strategic Chabahar Port, aiming to enhance trade ties with Afghanistan and Central Asian countries. This deal, signed just a week prior, signifies a significant geoeconomic breakthrough for both nations.