Turkey, Iran and Saudi Arabia have offered to play a mediatory role between Pakistan and India to end the tensions which developed after the Pulwama attack on February 14.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that he has told Pakistan that “Turkey is willing to mediate between India and Pakistan”. According to Turkish media, the minister said that he had phone contact with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi, but not with any Indian official yet.
Expressing concerns over the prevailing tensions, Mavlut said, “We are concerned over this tension. We want to call for common sense and calm between the parties. Steps that will escalate the tension should be avoided.”
He also noted that the main issue between the two neighbouring countries is the “Kashmir issue” and this issue must be solved “as soon as possible” within the framework of the international law.
“This is also important for people of Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK),” he added.
“Turkey is always willing to contribute to easing tension and to resolving these issues, including Kashmir,” Mavlut said. “We are open to dialogue and of course we want to discuss this issue with India,” he added.
Reportedly, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif spoke with Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi over the phone and offered mediation between India and Pakistan. The Iranian foreign minister urged both Pakistan and India to practice restraint. He said that he will also talk to his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj but did not specify the time and date.
Saudi Arabia has also offered to play a mediatory role, according to media reports.
Tensions between Pakistan and India rose after the Indian planes violated Pakistani airspace and released their payload inside Pakistan’s territory on Tuesday morning.
In response, Pakistan shot down two Indian planes in Kashmir. One plane crashed in the Kohi Rata sector of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) while one crashed in IOK’s Budgam area. A pilot of the Indian Air Force (AIF), identified as Abhinandan, was also taken into custody.
