In the aftermath of the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, that resulted in the death of 26 people, mostly tourists, Pakistan has reached out to Russia seeking diplomatic help to ease rising tensions with India. The terror strike in Pahalgam is being described as the most fatal attack in the Kashmir Valley since the Pulwama incident of 2019. This recent development has significantly worsened India-Pakistan relations, prompting Islamabad to seek international support to manage the deteriorating situation.

Pakistan’s ambassador to Moscow, Mohammad Khalid Jamali, has formally requested that Russia act as a diplomatic intermediary between Islamabad and New Delhi. In an upcoming interview with Russia’s state-run TASS news agency, Ambassador Jamali stated that given Russia’s privileged strategic partnership with India, along with its strong bilateral ties with Pakistan, Moscow is in a unique position to help mediate between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

Russia, while maintaining that issues between India and Pakistan should be resolved bilaterally, has still engaged both sides in dialogue to promote peace. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reportedly discussed the matter with India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and emphasised the importance of restraint and diplomacy. He reminded both countries of the principles laid out in the 1972 Simla Accord and the 1999 Lahore Declaration, which advocate resolving disputes bilaterally without third-party intervention.

Simultaneously, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a separate phone call with Lavrov. As per a press release issued by Pakistan’s Foreign Office, Dar updated Russia on recent regional developments. Lavrov reiterated Moscow’s concern about the rising hostilities and pressed for diplomatic channels to be utilised to prevent further escalation.

The Pahalgam terror attack took place in a prominent tourist hub in South Kashmir on April 22. A group of armed militants targeted buses carrying tourists, killing 26 people and injuring several more. The attack occurred at a time when the region had seen a revival of tourism post-COVID and after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. This made the strike not just a humanitarian tragedy, but also a strategic and symbolic blow.

Indian security agencies immediately launched intensive search operations to locate the perpetrators behind the attack. Surveillance and intelligence-sharing between various agencies have been intensified. The Union Government of India, in response to the attack, took several punitive measures, including the suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, a landmark agreement on water sharing between India and Pakistan brokered by the World Bank.

On April 24, Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a stern statement, vowing that the terrorists involved in the Pahalgam terror attack and their backers would not be spared. This statement echoed the firm post-Pulwama stance that India adopted in 2019, underlining that cross-border terrorism would not be tolerated and that those aiding such acts would face consequences.

India’s internal security apparatus, including the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), and Ministry of Home Affairs, has been on high alert since the Pahalgam attack. The deployment of forces in Kashmir has been increased, and night curfews have been imposed in multiple districts. Visuals from the ground show deserted streets in what is usually a lively tourist region.

Meanwhile, Pakistan continues to deny any involvement, calling the attack unfortunate while urging that all unresolved issues with India be settled through dialogue. However, this position has done little to soothe tempers in New Delhi, where the government remains resolute about holding the attackers and their enablers accountable.

Historically, Pakistan has sought international mediation to resolve its disputes with India, especially over Jammu and Kashmir. However, India maintains a firm no-third-party policy, rooted in the Simla Agreement and the Lahore Declaration, both of which reaffirm the bilateral nature of Indo-Pak conflict resolution. Russia, being an influential player with a balanced relationship with both nations, has often been approached in moments of crisis, such as during the Tashkent negotiations of 1966 that helped diffuse post-war tensions.

Despite these overtures, experts remain sceptical about the success of such mediation attempts. Given India's strong diplomatic position and its global partnerships — particularly with Russia, the United States, France, and Australia — it is unlikely to accept any third-party involvement in matters it deems as internal security issues.

The Pahalgam terror attack has not only derailed potential peace talks but also rekindled fears of a renewed cycle of violence in Jammu and Kashmir. Local businesses and tourism stakeholders have expressed concerns over the economic fallout, with booking cancellations and a sudden drop in tourist footfall being reported across the Valley.

In this tense geopolitical environment, Pakistan’s appeal to Russia reflects its diplomatic isolation and urgency to avoid a scenario where tensions with India escalate to open conflict. However, the Indian government’s current posture, bolstered by public support and international backing, suggests that New Delhi is not likely to tone down its response anytime soon.

As the situation continues to evolve, both countries face significant diplomatic and military choices in the days ahead. The role of Russia — whether as a peacemaker or merely an observer — will be crucial in shaping the narrative of Indo-Pak relations post-Pahalgam.

With regional peace hanging in the balance, it remains to be seen whether diplomacy can prevail over violence, and whether Russia’s historical and strategic influence can contribute to bringing back stability in South Asia — or whether this will mark yet another flashpoint in the long and troubled India-Pakistan history.

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