Pakistan issued a strong statement at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, reinforcing its pledge to uphold a ceasefire along the LoC with India while warning against what it characterized as Indian security forces’ “arbitrary and excessive use of force” in disputed regions.
On Monday at an SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar emphasized the need for peaceful dialogue, compliance with bilateral agreements and regional stability. His statements came amid growing tensions between South Asian nuclear powers following recent military clashes and an increase in rhetoric over Kashmir.
“Pakistan remains committed to the ceasefire understanding signed in February 2021 and believes in peacefully resolving all outstanding issues through peaceful means,” Dar emphasized. However, peace cannot be sustained unilaterally – we urge India not to use force unilaterally as this risks destabilizing the region further.”
India and Pakistan reached an informal ceasefire agreement through diplomatic backchannels that was formalized and announced in 2021, significantly reducing cross-border violence along the LoC. Unfortunately, recent reports of ceasefire violations, civilian casualties, and military buildup have reignited fears of an escalation in hostilities along the LoC.
Dar also accused India of continuing “oppressive actions” in Indian-administered Kashmir and reiterated Pakistan’s call for international mediation and compliance with UNSC resolutions regarding the disputed territory.
“Jammu and Kashmir remain an internationally acknowledged dispute,” he stated, and added that Pakistan will raise its voice against human rights violations and illegal demographic changes being enforced through illegal measures in this region.
India’s delegation led by External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar categorically rejected Pakistan’s allegations as unsubstantiated and provocative, noting that Jammu and Kashmir is an internal matter for India, emphasizing instead economic development and connectivity as priorities within SCO, rather than using this platform for “political point-scoring”.
“The SCO is meant to foster constructive cooperation and not air bilateral grievances,” Jaishankar noted.
Tensions between India and Pakistan often arise during multilateral gatherings, but the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has increasingly served as a forum for indirect diplomacy between them. Both nations are full members of this body along with China, Russia and Central Asian republics.
Regional observers observed that, despite its heated exchanges, this meeting underscored the necessity of ongoing communication between two nations – even through sometimes confrontational rhetoric.
Dr. Ayesha Jalal, an Islamabad-based South Asia analyst noted: “Even though language between both nations may be tough, both countries still maintain engagement at regional forums – this engagement is essential in order to avoid miscalculations,” noted Ayesha. The fact that ceasefire commitments continue to be mentioned is also seen as positive signal by analysts in Pakistan.
As the SCO summit progresses, all eyes will be watching to see whether backchannel diplomacy between New Delhi and Islamabad can ease tensions or whether hardline positions further strain relations in the region.