Moscow, May 5: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov extended an offer to mediate in the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir issue, following a conversation with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Sunday. The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed the discussion, highlighting the growing strain between New Delhi and Islamabad.
The ministry’s statement emphasized the “significant rise in tension” between the two countries, referring specifically to the recent violence in the Pahalgam area of Kashmir. The statement noted that Russia is prepared to assist in a political resolution, contingent on the willingness of both India and Pakistan to engage in dialogue.
Lavrov’s offer comes just two days after he had a similar conversation with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, during which he also called for a peaceful settlement of the dispute between the neighboring nations.
Moscow has long been a key partner of India, serving as its primary arms supplier for decades, and the two nations have maintained close ties since the Soviet era.