Saudi Arabia's stance on Kashmir: A balancing act

Saudi Arabia recently appeared to support India's stance on the Jammu and Kashmir issue in a joint statement with Pakistan, emphasizing bilateral resolution of "outstanding issues." 

Joint statement highlights bilateral dialogue

The statement followed a meeting between Pakistan's Prime Minister and Saudi Arabia's de-facto ruler.In the joint statement, both countries underscored the importance of dialogue between India and Pakistan to resolve their issues, particularly the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. The aim is to ensure peace and stability in the region through direct talks.

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India's stand and Saudi Arabia's approach

India has consistently maintained that the Kashmir issue is a bilateral matter between itself and Pakistan, rejecting any third-party intervention. Despite longstanding friendly ties between India, Pakistan, and Arab nations like Saudi Arabia, New Delhi's relations with Riyadh have notably improved under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Saudi Arabia's stance on Jammu and Kashmir has been balanced. While expressing concern over India's revocation of Article 370 in 2019, the Kingdom refrained from explicitly condemning the move. Instead, it referred to it as an internal matter for New Delhi.

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