Islamabad, July 29, 2025 – Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Muhammad Ishaq Dar, reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to a “composite dialogue” with India to address all outstanding issues, including the Kashmir dispute, during a press conference.
Speaking upon his return from a week-long U.S. visit, Dar emphasized that durable peace in South Asia hinges on resolving the Kashmir issue in line with UN resolutions.
Commenting on his recent meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, Dar described the talks as cordial, covering a broad range of bilateral and regional issues. He clarified that while military-to-military communications between Pakistan and India continue, no political dialogue has yet taken place. Dar referenced Rubio’s May 10 statement about India and Pakistan agreeing to talks at a neutral site, underscoring Pakistan’s readiness for comprehensive discussions that include Kashmir and the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).
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Dar condemned India’s unilateral suspension of the IWT on April 23, 2025, following the Pahalgam incident in Indian-Occupied Kashmir, which India attributed to Pakistan without evidence. Pakistan has consistently denied involvement, warning that blocking its strategic water resources would be considered an act of war, given the millions who rely on these waters for agriculture and food security. The 1960 treaty, facilitated by the World Bank, remains a critical framework, and Dar stressed that it cannot be suspended unilaterally, a move widely criticized as politically motivated.
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While expressing Pakistan’s vigilance amid regional tensions, Dar praised Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asif Munir for his leadership during the recent standoff with India. He also extended an invitation to Secretary Rubio to visit Pakistan, signaling continued diplomatic engagement.
Beyond India, Dar highlighted Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen ties with Afghanistan to boost regional connectivity through rail and trade corridors to Central Asia. Relations with Iran have also seen significant improvement, he noted.
During his U.S. visit, Dar led Pakistan’s initiatives at the UN Security Council, presiding over debates that resulted in a unanimous resolution on the “Peaceful Settlement of Disputes” and enhanced UN-OIC cooperation. He also addressed the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development Goals and a debate on Palestine, spotlighting the dire humanitarian crisis under Israeli bombardments.
