APD | Saudi Arabia stresses de-escalation of Indo-Pak tensions

By APD writer Muhammad Sohail

ISLAMABAD, March 8 (APD) -- Saudi Arabian State Minister for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir arrived in Pakistan on Thursday and held meetings with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

The Saudi Minister was greeted at the Prime Minister's Office by the premier where the two discussed the ongoing Pak-India tensions and matters of regional and bilateral interest.

The two officials discussed the current situation in the region, as well as other matters of common interest including economics, politics and security.

The Saudi minister assured Foreign Minister Qureshi of Saudi Arabia's complete and overwhelming support towards solving the issues with India in a peaceful manner.

The minister is visiting Pakistan on the instructions of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman. When making the announcement regarding the minister's visit, Qureshi had told media that the Saudi envoy is coming to Pakistan with a special message from Prince Mohammad bin Salman.

Last month, Indo-Pakistan relations went very low and the two nuclear armed neighbors reached at the verge of war following a suicide bomb attack troops in Indian-controlled Kashmir.

Later on, India claimed to bomb in Pakistan’s northwest region. Next day on Feb. 27, two fighter jets of Pakistan air force was downed by Pakistan and a pilot was captured only to be released as a unilateral goodwill gesture.

Amid escalating tensions, Pakistan had called back its high commissioner in India for consultations on Feb 18. The high commissioner will reach New Delhi on Friday.

On Wednesday, the Pakistani foreign minister had thanked Saudi Arabia, among other countries, for their contribution in easing the situation between India and Pakistan.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)