Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has advocated a new "path of peaceful negotiations" towards India to seek resolution of historic bilateral issues after the recent cease-fire agreement following weeks of mounting military tensions. During a nationally broadcast address on Saturday evening, Sharif reiterated that sustainable peace in South Asia can be attained only by means of talks and the resolution of essential issues, citing water sharing and the Jammu and Kashmir dispute as top agenda items for future negotiations.
Sharif said, "We completely believe that the way of peaceful talks in accordance with the principles of justice will be followed to resolve the distribution of water resources and settlement of all matters, including Jammu and Kashmir." He praised Pakistan's military for their "professional and effective response" in the conflict and thanked international allies-including US President Donald Trump, the leaders of China, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and the UAE-for their assistance in bringing about the ceasefire.
The prime minister also appreciated advice from former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Asif Zardari during the crisis. Sharif claimed that the ceasefire represents a new era for regional peace, prosperity, and stability, and reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to resolving differences through dialogue and not through conflict.
But Indian authorities made it clear that the existing arrangement is only a ceasefire and not an agreement to start more comprehensive talks on other matters at this point. India stands firm on the fact that any development in bilateral relations depends on a terror-free and violence-free atmosphere, and Jammu and Kashmir as an integral part of India.
Even after Islamabad's conciliatory note, the road ahead is still unclear, with both sides continuing to stick to their long-held positions despite the calls of international players for ongoing restraint and negotiations.
