Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed his country’s willingness to engage in talks with India aimed at resolving longstanding issues, including Kashmir, water-sharing and trade. Sharif made these remarks during a joint press conference with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday, amid his visit to Tehran.
Addressing the media, Sharif stated, “We are ready to talk, for the sake of peace on water issues with our neighbour.” He added, “We are ready to talk to promote trade and also, counter-terrorism…” Emphasising Pakistan’s desire for regional stability, Sharif said, “We wanted peace, we want peace and we will work for peace in the region through talks, on the table and resolve our outstanding issues.”
Honoured to call on His Eminence Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of Iran. I sought his views especially with regards to the current challenges faced by Muslim Ummah. We also exchanged views on bilateral and regional issues of mutual interests. I thanked him for… pic.twitter.com/smmUBJER89
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) May 26, 2025
“But if they choose to remain aggressors, then we shall defend our territory … like we have done a few days ago,” he said. Sharif further conveyed a conditional offer, saying, “But if they accept my offer of peace, then we will show that we really want peace, seriously and sincerely.” The Prime Minister’s visit to Iran follows his trip to Turkiye, with upcoming visits planned to Tajikistan and Azerbaijan.
Meanwhile, Iranian state media IRNA reported that President Masoud Pezeshkian voiced support for a durable ceasefire between India and Pakistan, urging dialogue among regional countries to settle disputes and foster peace.
The remarks come amid continued tensions following the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty after the Pahalgam terror attack, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians. The Indian government responded by putting the treaty into abeyance as part of measures against Pakistan.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has reiterated that the treaty, signed in 1960 to regulate water sharing from the Indus River system, remains on hold due to Pakistan’s cross-border terrorism. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted that “climate changes and demographic shifts have created new realities on ground,” explaining that, “Now, as per CCS decision that I referred to of 23rd April, India will keep the treaty in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably, abjures its support for cross-border terrorism.”
In a further step, India has imposed an immediate ban on the import and transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan, effectively halting bilateral trade flows, according to a notification from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
With inputs from ANI