New Delhi: While Iran and Pakistan agreed that the Kashmir dispute should be resolved by two South Asian rivals through “peaceful means” during Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s visit, their joint statement omitted the previous emphasis on implementing UN security resolutions and replaced it with following “international law”.
On April 24, the Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi wrapped up a three-day visit to Pakistan, which came in the wake of both countries trying to mend relations after the tit-for-tat missile strikes in each other’s territory in January.
At the end of Raisi’s visit, the joint statement issued by both sides, included a reference to the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan.
“Both sides highlighted the need to resolve the issue of Kashmir through dialogue and peaceful means based on the will of the people of that region, and in accordance with international law,” said the bilateral declaration.
The sentence did mention that the Kashmir dispute has to be based on “will of the people”, which is a long-standing Pakistani phrase. However, in contrast to the last joint statement, the sentence has been noticeably altered to exclude a crucial phrase that is part of Pakistan’s core position on Kashmir.
In April 2019, the joint statement issued during Pakistan Prime minister Imran Khan’s visit to Tehran stated, “Both sides highlighted the need to resolve the issue of Jammu & Kashmir through dialogue and peaceful means based on the will of the people of that region and in line with the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council”.
Pakistan has always insisted that UNSC resolutions 39 and 47 warranted the withdrawal of Indian troops from Kashmir. However, India had always pointed out that the first move in the resolutions which would trigger other further sequential steps wa that Pakistan had to withdraw entirely from Kashmir.
Islamabad had also insisted that the resolutions internationalised the dispute and gave a role to the United Nations. India had rejected any mediation or monitoring by third parties, including by United Nations, especially after the signing of the Shimla agreement.
As per the recent joint statement, Iran’s stance on Kashmir has been to strike a balance, acknowledging Pakistan’s perspective with the mention of the “will of the people” while also avoiding reference to UNSC resolutions in consideration of India’s position.
Earlier during the joint press conference on April 22, Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif had thanked the Iranian President “and the people of Iran for raising your voice for Kashmir”. However, President Raisi did not mention Kashmir and instead underscored Iran’s support for UN resolutions that address “oppression,” specifically mentioning Gaza in his public remarks.
Despite their longstanding close ties, India’s relationship with Iran has faced challenges, particularly due to the impact of US sanctions on the purchase of Iranian oil. Nonetheless, both countries have maintained strong relations, particularly regarding Afghanistan and the development of Iran’s Chabahar port.
