Pakistan’s Prime Minister Embarks on Diplomatic Tour Amid Rising Tensions with India
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has recently returned to Azerbaijan and Turkey, following visits in February and April respectively, as part of an intense five-day diplomatic tour also covering Iran and Tajikistan, as per Al Jazeera.
Accompanying him are Army Chief Asim Munir—Pakistan’s second-ever field marshal—and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar.
While these countries are familiar destinations, the diplomatic context has shifted significantly since Sharif’s earlier trips. This surge in diplomacy comes after a tense four-day military standoff with India, which involved missile and drone exchanges between the neighboring rivals.
India has since launched an extensive diplomatic campaign, sending delegations to over 30 countries to accuse Pakistan of supporting militant groups blamed for attacks in India and Indian-administered Kashmir. A recent deadly attack in the Kashmir resort town of Pahalgam, which killed 26 civilians, was attributed by India to a Pakistan-linked group. Islamabad denies these claims and has called for an independent investigation.
Following the attack, India targeted alleged militant infrastructure with missile strikes in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, which Pakistan says resulted in civilian casualties. Both sides exchanged further missile fire and drone incursions before agreeing to a US-brokered ceasefire.
In the current diplomatic push, Pakistani officials and analysts aim to counter India’s narrative by portraying Pakistan as a proponent of peace and stability in South Asia, while casting India as the provocateur escalating regional tensions.
