Saudi Minister Meets Jaishankar Amid India-Pakistan Tensions | Iran’s Role in Focus

In the middle of rising tensions between India and Pakistan, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Adel al-Jubeir, made an unexpected visit to New Delhi on Thursday. He met with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, just hours after Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi arrived for a pre-planned visit.

Diplomacy in Action During High Tensions

The meeting between the Indian and Saudi ministers took place shortly after India launched military strikes (under Operation Sindoor) targeting terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). These strikes were in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 people.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed the meeting via a post on social media, stating:

“A good meeting with @AdelAljubeir, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia this morning. Shared India’s perspectives on firmly countering terrorism.”

Iran’s Position and Mediation Offer

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, also landed in New Delhi late Wednesday to co-chair the India-Iran Joint Commission Meeting. However, his visit carried added significance after he recently offered to mediate between India and Pakistan.

Before coming to India, Araghchi visited Pakistan on Monday for high-level talks and returned to Tehran, underlining Iran’s intention to maintain neutral and balanced ties with both countries.

Back-Channel Diplomacy on the Table?

Meanwhile, there are growing signs of back-channel talks between India and Pakistan. Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, in an interview with TRT World, admitted that there had been a “contact” between the two countries’ national security advisers (NSAs). He did not provide further details.

Adding to the speculation, Pakistan recently appointed ISI chief Lt Gen Muhammad Asim Malik as the new NSA—filling a position that had been vacant since April 2022. This move suggests the Pakistan Army’s growing role in managing India-Pakistan relations.

Conclusion

With Saudi Arabia and Iran now engaging both New Delhi and Islamabad, regional diplomacy is in full swing. While India maintains its strong stance on terrorism, diplomatic efforts from key countries may open the door to a peaceful resolution. Whether these talks lead to a de-escalation remains to be seen, but back-channel diplomacy and strategic visits hint at a potential shift from conflict toward conversation.