Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
EXCLUSIVE: Pakistan’s envoy to the United States is expressing grave concerns about the escalating tensions between Pakistan and India, particularly over Kashmir. The current situation could lead to catastrophic outcomes if India proceeds with what Islamabad fears may be an imminent military strike in response to a recent violent incident in the region.
Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the U.S., cautioned that conflict between these two nuclear-armed nations would have dire repercussions. He urges President Trump to utilize his self-proclaimed negotiating skills to foster a meaningful dialogue aimed at resolving the longstanding Kashmir dispute.
“This is one nuclear flashpoint,” Ambassador Saeed stated in an exclusive interview. “It could become a pivotal aspect of President Trump’s legacy if he takes decisive action, addressing the root causes rather than applying a superficial fix.”
India’s swift and aggressive response to a recent attack in Pahalgam, which left multiple Indian security personnel dead, has been labeled as excessively hasty and provocative. Sheikh noted that just immediately after the incident, India began blaming Pakistan, despite a comprehensive investigation being implausibly launched minutes after the attack given the difficult terrain.
This tension escalated following a gruesome attack in Belgaum, Kashmir, where on April 22, gunmen took the lives of several civilians, primarily Indian nationals. In the aftermath, India swiftly accused Pakistan of backing the assailants; a narrative that Islamabad staunchly denies.
Survivors of the assault reported that the attackers had berated victims for supporting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The situation continues to unfold amidst a backdrop of mutual accusations as Pakistan warns that the region, which houses more than 1.5 billion people, is at risk of being “held hostage to a war of hysteria” spearheaded by India’s narrative.
Since the attack, gunfire has been exchanged across the heavily militarized borders of these two rivals, underscoring the dangers of escalation. Sheikh pointed out that Pakistan’s requests for evidence linking it to the attack and an offer to engage in a neutral investigation have gone ignored by India.
“Any hopeful miscalculation or reckless act could lead to a nuclear confrontation,” Sheikh emphasized. “Such an outcome is particularly alarming in a region densely populated with millions.”
In the wake of these tensions, India has allegedly conducted raids on homes of suspected Indian nationals linked to the attack. Sheikh queried why India is pursuing external blame when the issues in Jammu and Kashmir stem from its internal shortcomings, referring to the area as “illegally occupied.”
The ambassador also criticized India’s broader Kashmir policies, including the controversial settlement of non-residents in the region and actions that threaten to block water flows from Pakistan’s rivers, which he argued violate the longstanding Indus Waters Treaty.
“This is as unacceptable as it gets,” he stated, adding, “Cutting off water supplies could be perceived as an act of war, and we have reached out to international bodies to address this water-related aggression from New Delhi.”
Saeed is calling for a global response to facilitate a sustainable resolution to the Kashmir dilemma. He noted that historically, when similar escalations have occurred, the international community has intervened, but often without a lasting resolution.
“In past crises, global powers have diverted their gaze before the situation could normalize,” he noted. “It is crucial now for the world to remain attentive to avoid a temporary solution, tackling the broader tensions that have long persisted in the region.”
India and Pakistan maintain control over different portions of Kashmir, but both nations assert ownership over the entire area. Their disagreements have previously led to three wars.
A notable incident in 2019 saw a strike by militants that killed over 40 Indian paramilitary personnel, resulting in retaliatory airstrikes by India on Pakistani territory.
Following Modi’s 2019 decision to revoke the special status of Muslim-majority Kashmir, tensions have intensified, leading to heightened military presence and conflicts in the area.
The roots of the Kashmir conflict reach back to the partition of British India in 1947, an event that established the current territorial divisions and ongoing disputes. Both countries have amassed substantial military forces in the region, which is now recognized as one of the most militarized zones globally.
Despite the violence, Modi’s assertive stance has arguably led to a period of relative calm over the last few years, bolstering his popularity at home. However, the current context may compel him to demonstrate a forceful response to the latest violence, which could spiral out of control.
Pakistan has borne the brunt of terrorism for decades, with estimates suggesting its casualties from terrorist activities could be as high as 90,000 over the last two decades. Sheikh lamented the persistent instability, asserting that Pakistan seeks a peaceful neighborhood.
“While we consistently advocate for peace, our calls should not be misconstrued as weakness. We desire peace that upholds dignity,” Sheikh concluded, reinforcing Pakistan’s position on the conflict and its resolution.
