India and Pakistan Engage in Global Diplomacy Amid Kashmir Tensions
India and Pakistan are intensifying their diplomatic outreach to international audiences, seeking to shape global narratives and counter each other’s claims in the ongoing conflict over Kashmir. The latest escalation, the worst in decades between the nuclear-armed neighbors, has prompted both countries to deploy high-level delegations to key regions, aiming to highlight their respective positions and secure international support.
India has initiated a global diplomatic campaign, sending teams to Europe, the Middle East, the Americas, Africa, and East Asia. The goal is to emphasize Pakistan’s alleged role in cross-border terrorism and to position Islamabad as a threat to global stability. This effort follows an attack in Indian-controlled Kashmir in April that killed 26 people, an incident India attributes to Pakistani involvement, a stance Islamabad has consistently denied.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s delegation is focusing on major Western cities, including Washington, Paris, Brussels, and London. The country aims to portray India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, as a warmonger and to challenge New Delhi’s actions, including the suspension of a crucial water treaty and allegations of extrajudicial killings abroad. Pakistan’s strategy also includes attempting to create divisions between India and Western nations, which are increasingly aligning with New Delhi as a counterbalance to China.
The diplomatic efforts reflect the deep-rooted tensions between the two nations and their fears of shifting international alliances. Both sides are also targeting the United States, following President Donald Trump’s recent intervention, which included announcing a ceasefire and offering to mediate Kashmir talks. Both countries view the U.S. as a key player in the conflict, with the potential to influence the outcome.
India’s delegation, led by former diplomat Shashi Tharoor, includes opposition politicians and members of the country’s Muslim minority, aiming to present a unified front in the wake of the Kashmir attack. Tharoor and other officials argue that terrorism remains a significant issue in the region, particularly in countries where it is a recurring threat. They stress the need for international attention on Pakistan’s alleged support for terrorism, which they claim endangers global stability.
Pakistan, on the other hand, frames itself as a victim of Indian aggression, emphasizing that India’s actions are a direct threat to regional peace. Former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari leads Pakistan’s delegation, which is set to begin in early June. He and other officials aim to highlight India’s belligerent behavior and to counter the perception that Pakistan is a sponsor of terrorism.
Both sides are also concerned about the role of the international community, particularly the United States, in the conflict. India has accused Pakistan of supporting transnational assassinations, including on its soil, while Pakistan denies these allegations and claims India is responsible for supporting militant groups in its border regions. The issue has drawn attention from Western countries, including Canada and the United States, which have linked India to past incidents of violence.
India has also raised concerns about the suspension of a critical water treaty with Pakistan, which it claims is a result of Islamabad’s continued support for terrorism. Officials have warned that India will not resume the treaty until Pakistan stops its alleged involvement in cross-border terrorism. Additionally, India has criticized Trump’s role in the ceasefire, viewing it as an attempt to equate India with a rogue military regime.
Pakistani officials, however, see Trump’s intervention as an opportunity to reset relations with the U.S., which they believe is more open to their position. They hope to leverage Trump’s concerns about the potential for nuclear conflict to gain international support for their case. The two nations’ diplomatic efforts highlight the complex and volatile nature of their long-standing conflict, with both sides seeking to gain international sympathy and influence in the region.