"We are ready to talk to promote trade and also, counter-terrorism..."
Shehbaz Sharif Offers Talks with India; Ready to Resolve Long-standing Issues latest news: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during a joint press conference in Tehran with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, expressed willingness to engage in dialogue with India to resolve long-standing issues including Kashmir, water sharing, trade, and counter-terrorism efforts, according to a report by ANI, citing Pakistani media outlet Dawn.
“We are ready to talk, for the sake of peace—on water issues with our neighbour,” Sharif said.
"We are ready to talk to promote trade and also, counter-terrorism..."
"We wanted peace, we want peace and we will work for peace in the region through talks, on the table, and resolve our outstanding issues," he added.
Sharif further stated, “but if they accept my offer of peace, then we will show that we genuinely want peace—seriously and sincerely.”
According to the report, Shehbaz Sharif visited Iran on Monday after a stop in Türkiye and is scheduled to travel to Tajikistan and Azerbaijan next.
Meanwhile, IRNA, Iran’s state media agency, reported that President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed support for a durable ceasefire between India and Pakistan. He emphasized the importance of dialogue among regional countries to resolve disputes and promote peace.
India's Firm Response Post-Pahalgam Attack
India has taken a firm stance against terrorism following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, where 26 unarmed male civilians were killed after being identified by their religious affiliation. The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow group of the Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the attack.
In response, India placed the Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960, in abeyance, citing Pakistan’s continued support for cross-border terrorism.
India also imposed punitive diplomatic and economic measures, including an immediate ban on the direct and indirect import or transit of all goods originating from or exported from Pakistan, effectively halting bilateral trade. The action was formalized through a notification issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, previously, reiterated that the Indus Waters Treaty remains suspended due to Pakistan's sponsorship of terrorism.
MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, previously, echoed the sentiment, stating, "India will keep the treaty in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism. Please also note that climate change, demographic shifts, and technological advancements have created new ground realities."
Additionally, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, in an interview with UK-based Sky News anchor Yalda Hakim, had admitted on record that Pakistan had done the “dirty work” for decades—implicitly acknowledging the state’s role in supporting terrorism.
India and Pakistan have a long history of conflict, marked by wars and terror attacks, including those in Uri and Pulwama. However, this is the first time that India has officially placed the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, signaling a zero-tolerance policy on terrorism.
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