Saudi Foreign Minister Engages Diplomacy with Both Nations Amid Ongoing Conflict
Dubai, May 10 — In a bid to contain the rising hostilities between India and Pakistan, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan on Saturday emphasized the Kingdom’s “close and balanced relations” with both countries and initiated high-level diplomatic outreach to defuse the situation.According to a statement from the Saudi Foreign Office, Minister Faisal held separate phone conversations with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. The discussions centered on efforts to de-escalate the military confrontations that have intensified over the last 12 hours.
Faisal reiterated Saudi Arabia’s commitment to regional security and stability and emphasized the need for a peaceful resolution through dialogue.
Saudi Envoy's Backchannel Diplomacy
The Saudi statement also revealed that Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir visited India and Pakistan on May 8 and 9, following directives from the Saudi leadership. His unannounced trip was aimed at mediating and promoting dialogue between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.Al-Jubeir met with Jaishankar in New Delhi on Thursday and discussed the fallout of India's precision strikes on terror launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). These strikes were in retaliation for the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives.
A day later, Al-Jubeir traveled to Islamabad, where he held talks with Pakistan's top leadership to further Saudi Arabia’s de-escalation initiative.
Tensions Peak with Missile and Drone Strikes
The situation between the two countries has grown more volatile following India's military strikes on Wednesday. Pakistan responded with a series of drone attacks across 26 locations in India, from Jammu and Kashmir to Gujarat, late Friday night. The Indian defence ministry confirmed that all attempts to target critical infrastructure, including airports and air bases, were successfully thwarted.On Saturday morning, Pakistan alleged that three of its air bases had been targeted by Indian missiles and drones.
Responding to the developments, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri accused Pakistan of resorting to “provocative” and “escalatory” tactics, and condemned the targeting of innocent civilians and infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab.
Call for Dialogue Amid Escalation
The Saudi initiative underscores growing international concern over the rapidly deteriorating security environment in South Asia. With both militaries exchanging strikes and rhetoric intensifying, Riyadh has positioned itself as a potential mediator in a conflict that threatens regional stability.As the situation unfolds, the international community is watching closely, hoping that diplomatic interventions like those led by Saudi Arabia will help bring both sides back from the brink.