RIYADH — Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan held separate phone calls with his counterparts in Pakistan and India on Friday, discussing bilateral relations and the evolving regional situation amid rising tensions between the two South Asian nations. The diplomatic outreach followed a deadly militant attack on Tuesday near Pahalgam in the Indian-administered part of Kashmir's scenic Pesarang Valley. The assault claimed the lives of at least 26 people and has triggered a wave of accusations and retaliatory measures from both sides. Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said in a post on social media that he discussed the Pahalgam attack and its cross-border connections with Prince Faisal. Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also posted on X, stating that the two ministers agreed to maintain consultations and coordination on the unfolding regional developments. The Kashmir attack, which India has blamed on Pakistan-based militants, has sharply escalated tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. In response, India suspended a key water-sharing treaty, closed a major land border crossing, and halted airspace and trade agreements with Pakistan. Islamabad, in turn, warned of potential military action, further raising fears of a broader conflict.
