Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday (May 26, 2025) expressed his readiness to engage in peace talks with India to resolve all outstanding issues, including Kashmir, terrorism, water disputes, and trade. Speaking in Tehran during the second stop of his four-nation tour, Mr. Sharif was welcomed by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at the Saadabad Palace, where he received a guard of honour and held bilateral talks.

At a joint press conference, Mr. Sharif emphasized his commitment to resolving conflicts through dialogue. “We want to settle all disputes, including Kashmir and water issues, through negotiations,” he said. He also expressed willingness to discuss trade and counter-terrorism cooperation with India. However, he warned that if India opts for aggression, Pakistan will defend its territory as it had recently done. “But if they accept my offer of peace, we will demonstrate our sincere desire for peace,” he added.

India, meanwhile, has maintained that dialogue with Pakistan will only be possible on the return of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and counter-terrorism.

Mr. Sharif also claimed Pakistan emerged “victorious” after the recent four-day conflict with India. The tension escalated following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people, leading to India’s precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir under Operation Sindoor on May 7. Pakistan retaliated with attempts to strike Indian military bases between May 8 and 10, to which India responded firmly. The hostilities ceased following talks between the directors general of military operations of both nations on May 10.

Regarding Pakistan’s relations with Iran, Mr. Sharif thanked President Pezeshkian for his support during the recent conflict and praised Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s visit to Pakistan during the military escalation. He described the meeting between the two countries’ delegations as productive, covering all areas of mutual interest, especially in trade, investment, and commerce.

Accompanied by senior officials including Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, and others, Mr. Sharif is scheduled to meet Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei to discuss bilateral and regional matters.