Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi arrived in the Indian capital on Thursday for a crucial visit aimed at addressing the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan.
Araqchi, who earlier visited Pakistan this week, is scheduled to meet with his Indian counterpart, Dr. S. Jaishankar, to discuss a range of issues, including regional stability and bilateral ties.
During his brief stay in Islamabad earlier this week, Araqchi urged both Pakistan and India to exercise restraint, amid escalating concerns over a deadly attack in the disputed Kashmir region.
The attack, which occurred last month, has sparked a sharp exchange of accusations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. India has accused Pakistan of involvement in the attack on tourists, a claim Islamabad has firmly denied, instead asserting that it has "credible intelligence" suggesting India may be preparing to launch military action. These developments have raised fears of further escalation and the potential for conflict.
Aragchi during Pakistan visit stresses importance of de-escalation
On his arrival in Islamabad, Araqchi emphasized the importance of de-escalation, urging all parties to avoid actions that could increase tensions. “We seek de-escalation and urge all parties to exercise restraint and avoid increasing tensions,” the Iranian Foreign Minister told reporters.
This visit is seen as part of Iran’s ongoing diplomatic efforts to mediate between the two South Asian countries, with Tehran maintaining close ties with both Islamabad and New Delhi. Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, confirmed that the situation between India and Pakistan would be discussed during Araqchi’s visit, given the current climate of strained relations.
Araqchi’s arrival in New Delhi follows recent comments by US President Donald Trump, who also offered to mediate between Pakistan and India. Trump called for both countries to exercise restraint and prevent the situation from worsening, a statement that was echoed by the Iranian Foreign Minister during his visit to Pakistan.
While the exact agenda of Araqchi’s discussions in New Delhi remains unclear, both sides are expected to exchange views on a wide range of regional and global developments. Iran’s embassy in India stated that the Iranian Foreign Minister would also take the opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations and discuss issues of mutual interest.
