Pahalgam terror attack: Russia urges India, Pakistan to resolve differences under Shimla, Lahore accords

As tensions mount between India and Pakistan following the deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has urged both countries to resolve their differences through political and diplomatic means, within the framework of the Shimla Agreement and the Lahore Declaration.

In a phone conversation with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Friday, Lavrov discussed the “aggravation of Indian-Pakistani relations” in the aftermath of the attack, according to a statement issued by the Russian embassy.

“They discussed topical issues of Russian-Indian cooperation, as well as the aggravation of Indian-Pakistani relations following the terrorist attack near Pahalgam,” the embassy said.

Lavrov emphasised the need for bilateral engagement, stating that disagreements should be settled “in accordance with the provisions of the Simla Agreement of 1972 and the Lahore Declaration of 1999,” both of which underline peaceful dialogue as the preferred path to conflict resolution between the two South Asian neighbours.

”The ministers also discussed the schedule of upcoming contacts at the highest and high levels,” the mission said.

There is no comment from the Indian side on the phone conversation.

The talks between the two foreign ministers came against the backdrop of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan over the April 22 terror attack that killed 26 civilians.

Citing ”cross-border linkages” to the horrific attack, India has promised severe punishment to those involved in the strike.

Many global powers including the US and European Union have called on both sides to de-escalate tensions while unequivocally condemning the terror strike.

India has already asserted that the ”perpetrators, backers and planners” of the terror attack must be brought to justice.

In a high-level meeting with the top defence brass, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the armed forces have ”complete operational freedom” to decide on the mode, targets and timing of India’s response to the terror attack.

The prime minister affirmed that it is a national resolve to deal a crushing blow to terrorism.

India on April 23 announced a raft of punitive measures against Pakistan including suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, shutting down of the only operational land border crossing at Attari and downgrading of diplomatic ties in view of the cross-border links to the attack.

In response, Pakistan shut its airspace to Indian airliners and suspended all trade with India, including through third countries.

With inputs from agencies