Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have reiterated the significance of fostering dialogue between Islamabad and New Delhi to address their unresolved matters, notably the Kashmir issue.
A joint statement was released following an official meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi de facto ruler Prince Mohammed bin Salman on April 7 at Al-Safa Palace in Mecca.
The discussions aimed at bolstering the brotherly relations between the two nations and exploring opportunities for increased collaboration across various sectors, as outlined in the joint statement.
Regional matters, including the Kashmir issue, were among the topics deliberated upon during the meeting.
"The necessity of dialogue between Pakistan and India to resolve outstanding issues, particularly the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, for the sake of regional peace and stability, was emphasized by both sides," the statement conveyed.
India's consistent stance has been that Kashmir remains a bilateral matter between India and Pakistan, rejecting any mediation or intervention from third parties.
Relations between the two countries deteriorated significantly after India revoked Article 370 of its Constitution, stripping Jammu and Kashmir of its special status and dividing the state into two Union Territories on August 5, 2019.
Pakistan strongly condemned India's decision, downgrading diplomatic ties and expelling the Indian envoy. India reiterated its stance that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of its territory.
India has expressed its desire for normal neighborly relations with Pakistan in an environment devoid of terrorism, hostility, and violence.
Furthermore, the joint statement highlighted the Gulf Kingdom's supportive role in Pakistan's economy and the mutual aspiration to reinforce trade and investment connections.
"Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to expediting the initial phase of the $5 billion investment package previously discussed," the statement affirmed.
The leaders also exchanged perspectives on regional and global developments of shared interest, including the concerning situation in Gaza. They urged international efforts to cease Israeli military operations in Gaza and mitigate the humanitarian consequences.
"They underscored the necessity of advancing the peace process in line with relevant resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly, as well as the Arab Peace Initiative, aimed at achieving a fair and comprehensive resolution for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital," the statement noted.
Prime Minister Sharif extended an invitation to Crown Prince bin Salman to undertake an official visit to Pakistan, which was accepted.
During his inaugural foreign trip to perform Umrah and meet with the leadership of Saudi Arabia, Sharif led a high-level delegation to the Kingdom.
Additionally, Radio Pakistan reported that Prime Minister Sharif and the Saudi Crown Prince reaffirmed their shared determination to further strengthen bilateral ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Both leaders acknowledged the positive trajectory of the longstanding fraternal relations between their countries.
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