Shehbaz Sharif ‘ready to talk about peace’ with India
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed his country’s willingness to engage in peace talks with India but reiterated that the Kashmir issue must be central to any dialogue. Sharif made these remarks while addressing military officers and personnel at the Kamra Airbase in Punjab province.
“We are ready to hold talks with India for peace,” said Shehbaz Sharif, firmly stating that Kashmir remains a core condition for initiating discussions.
Recent escalation: Operation Sindoor & retaliation
Sharif’s statement comes against the backdrop of heightened military confrontations between India and Pakistan. The recent tensions were triggered by a terrorist attack in Pahalgam on May 6-7, which claimed 26 lives. In response, India launched ‘Operation Sindoor’, targeting nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), reportedly neutralizing over 100 militants.
Following these strikes, Pakistan attempted retaliatory attacks on multiple Indian military installations between May 8-10. However, these efforts were repelled by the Indian Armed Forces, who carried out counter-attacks on key Pakistani military bases, including:
- Rafiqui
- Murid
- Chaklala
- Rahim Yar Khan
- Sukkur
- Chunian
De-escalation & diplomatic signals
After days of military exchanges, both nations agreed on May 10 to de-escalate the situation and avoid further conflict. In the aftermath, Shehbaz Sharif visited multiple military bases, including the Pasrur Cantonment in Sialkot, to boost troop morale and assess the situation on the ground.
India’s firm stand on Kashmir
India has consistently maintained that the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh are integral parts of India and that their status is non-negotiable under any circumstances. The Indian government has reiterated this position in response to Pakistan’s persistent calls for international intervention.
While Shehbaz Sharif’s offer of peace talks appears to be a diplomatic outreach, India’s strong military response and unwavering stance on Kashmir suggest that New Delhi will not entertain talks under external pressure or conditions linked to territorial sovereignty.
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