ISLAMABAD (PEN) : In a significant development amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the recent Pakistan-India conflict during a lengthy phone call, the Kremlin confirmed on Wednesday.
Leaders Address South Asian Tensions
According to Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, the two leaders held a 75-minute call that covered a range of global issues including the Middle East, the war in Ukraine, and notably, the recent armed confrontation between India and Pakistan.
“The Middle East was discussed, as well as the armed conflict between India and Pakistan, which has been halted with the personal involvement of President Trump,” Ushakov stated.
The Pakistan-India skirmishes — triggered by the killing of 26 tourists in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir’s (IIOJK) Pahalgam — escalated into cross-border military action. India blamed Pakistan for the attack, which led to a three-day series of strikes from New Delhi. Pakistan responded with “Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos,” reportedly downing six Indian Air Force (IAF) jets, including three Rafale fighters, and several drones.
The confrontation concluded with a ceasefire agreement on May 10, following diplomatic intervention led by Washington.
Global Diplomatic Efforts Underway
Following the ceasefire, both Islamabad and New Delhi have launched extensive diplomatic outreach campaigns to present their perspectives on the conflict to the international community.
Pakistan’s effort is being spearheaded by former Foreign Minister and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, who is leading a high-level nine-member parliamentary delegation. The delegation includes Hina Rabbani Khar, Sherry Rehman, Dr. Musadik Malik, Khurram Dastgir Khan, Jalil Abbas Jilani, Tehmina Janjua, Bushra Anjum Butt, and Syed Faisal Subzwari.
Speaking to the Overseas Pakistani community in New York, Bhutto-Zardari emphasized the urgency of avoiding further escalation in South Asia.
“A nuclear conflict has implications for the entire world,” he stated. “It is therefore all the more important for Pakistan to present its case and urge the international community to continue playing its role, just as it did during the ceasefire.”
Calls for Dialogue and Regional Stability
During a separate interview with China’s CCTV News, Bilawal proposed establishing a permanent, joint investigative mechanism between India and Pakistan to examine terror incidents on both sides.
“A neutral platform could help both sides seek justice and prevent future bloodshed,” he suggested.
He also reiterated Pakistan’s readiness for peace and stated that all military responses had been in self-defence.
His calls for diplomacy mirror earlier remarks urging global stakeholders to facilitate a structured and comprehensive dialogue with India — with the Kashmir issue positioned as a central point.
Meanwhile, Indian Congress MP Shashi Tharoor indicated that New Delhi may consider talks, but only if Islamabad takes tangible action against what he described as the “infrastructure of terrorism” operating within Pakistan.
The Trump-Putin discussion, paired with ongoing diplomatic engagements by both South Asian nations, marks a renewed push to stabilize regional relations. While tensions remain, the involvement of global powers and parliamentary delegations suggests a possible shift toward dialogue and de-escalation.
