NEW YORK, Jul 29 (APP): With India-Pakistan ceasefire holding, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar Monday reiterated Islamabad’s interest in a “composite dialogue” with New Delhi to discuss all outstanding issues between the two South Asian countries.
Responding to a question about his meeting with U.S Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington last week, he told a press conference that while military-to-military communications were taking place, there was no contact on the political side.
A political dialogue, the DPM/FM said will ultimately have to take place to resolve the problems between the two countries.
Ishaq Dar was asked about any follow up on Rubio’s statement on May 10 that India and Pakistan have agreed to hold talks at a “neutral site” following a period of escalating tensions.
He said that the meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere in which they discussed a wide range of issues.
Pakistan, he said, made absolutely clear that without a resolution of the Kashmir dispute, in accordance with United Nations resolutions, there will no durable peace in the region.
Pakistan, Dar said, was ready for dialogue with India, adding that Pakistan seeks a composite dialogue that includes Kashmir as well as other issues, including Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).
At the same time, Dar said Pakistan remains alert and keeping a close watch on the situation.
In this regard, he praised the leader of Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asif Munir during the standoff with India
Replying to another question, the DPM/FM said he had invited Secretary Rubio to visit Pakistan.
He also emphasized the IWT cannot be suspended
India suspended the treaty on April 23, 2025; one day after the Pahalgam incident in Indian-Occupied Kashmir, blaming Pakistan for the attack without any evidence. Pakistan firmly denied any involvement in the attack.
Pakistan has repeatedly shared its stance that if India blocks Pakistan’s strategic waters, it will be considered an act of war, since millions depend on these waters for agriculture and hence food security is directly linked with uninterrupted water flow.
In a move that directly clashes with international norms, and IWT’s own clauses, India pulled out of treaty unilaterally, a move that is being acknowledge worldwide as politically motivated.
The treaty was signed in 1960 and the World Bank is a facilitator, often dubbed a protector, whenever any disagreement occurs on this water-sharing deal.
On relations with Afghanistan, Dar highlighted Pakistan’s outreach to Afghanistan, a neighbouring Muslim country, with a view to enhancing regional connectivity through rail and trade corridors to Central Asia.
Pakistan’s relations with Iran have also greatly improved, he said.
The DPM/FM held the press conference at the end of his week-long visit to the U.S. during which he presided over Pakistan’s signature events at the UN Security Council. Pakistan’s initiated debate on the “Peaceful Settlement of Disputes” led to the unanimous adoption of resolution. Pakistan also organized a debate aimed promoting cooperation between the UN and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
In addition, Dar presided a debate on Palestine in which the enormous suffering of the Palestinian people, especially their starvation, under the deadly Israeli bombardments was highlighted.
A day after his arrival in New York, the DPM/FM addressed the High Level Political Forum which examined the progress ln the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“I am fully satisfied with the role Pakistan played in enhancing its relations With Iran,” the DPM/FM added.
