ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia vowed to "de-escalate" rising tensions between Pakistan and India during a high-profile summit in Islamabad on Monday (Feb 18) as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman prepares to travel from Islamabad to New Delhi.
The kingdom's minister of state for foreign affairs spoke at a press conference in Islamabad as Pakistan recalled its envoy from Delhi for "consultations", the latest development in a fresh diplomatic crisis between the nuclear-armed neighbours.
Delhi has vowed to retaliate after a suicide blast which killed 41 Indian paramilitaries in Kashmir on Thursday, the deadliest attack in the disputed Himalayan region in decades.
The attack has sparked widespread calls in India for action against Pakistan.
"Our objective is to try to de-escalate tensions between the two countries, neighbouring countries, and to see if there is a path forward to resolving those differences peacefully," said Saudi minister of state for foreign affairs Adel al-Jubeir.
Following the pledge, the crown prince - widely known as MBS - held a series of meetings Monday afternoon with the Pakistani leadership before flying on to India.
Kashmir has been split between India and Pakistan since independence from Britain in 1947, with both the countries, which have fought three wars, claiming it in its entirety.
The Pakistan-based Islamist group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) claimed responsibility for Thursday's attack and the vehicle was driven by a known local militant.
India is garnering diplomatic support after the attack and has vowed to "isolate" Pakistan in the international community, saying it has "incontrovertible evidence" of Islamabad's role.
Pakistan has rejected the allegations.
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