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Gaza crisis draws Iran and Pakistan closer as India watches cautiously

Iran and Pakistan put past hostilities behind to support Gaza. While Pakistan raises India-Kashmir conflict, Iran calls for peaceful resolution.

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In a significant diplomatic development, Iran and Pakistan appear to be bridging past hostilities, uniting over their mutual concerns for Palestine. The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, following Israel’s counterattacks in response to Hamas’ October 2023 offensive, has become a key driver behind the thaw in ties between Tehran and Islamabad.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir’s visit to Tehran marks a step forward in healing the damage done after last year’s cross-border airstrikes. Both leaders met Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, emphasizing shared goals of Muslim unity and regional peace.

Khamenei lauds Pakistan’s position on Israel

During the visit, Khamenei openly commended Pakistan for resisting Western pressures to normalize ties with Israel, a move he characterized as betrayal to the Palestinian cause. “Pakistan has never given in to temptations to align with the Zionist regime,” Khamenei stated, underlining the centrality of Palestine to the Islamic world.

He contrasted Pakistan’s consistency with the actions of certain Islamic governments that have chosen to side with Israel. “Even as Western citizens protest their own governments’ stance on Gaza, some Islamic nations remain complicit,” Khamenei said.

Sharif raises Kashmir, Iran offers neutral stance

While in Tehran, PM Sharif brought up Pakistan’s recent conflict with India and reiterated readiness for peace talks on contentious issues such as Kashmir, water-sharing, and cross-border terrorism. “We want peace and we are ready to talk,” Sharif said at a joint press conference with President Pezeshkian.

However, Iran’s response was notably restrained. Ayatollah Khamenei merely expressed hope that India-Pakistan disputes would be resolved peacefully. President Pezeshkian also called for dialogue, emphasizing the importance of lasting peace and stability in South Asia.

Iran-Pakistan thaw follows deadly airstrikes in 2024

This reconciliation follows a turbulent chapter in January 2024 when Iran and Pakistan exchanged airstrikes. Iran had targeted Jaish al-Adl hideouts in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, prompting retaliatory action from Pakistan against the Baloch Liberation Front.

Despite these hostilities, a recent U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency report confirms that both countries have taken constructive steps, including high-level engagements, to de-escalate tensions.

Khamenei reflected on the historical camaraderie between the nations, recalling Pakistan’s support during the Iran-Iraq war. “In a world riddled with conflicts, only Muslim unity can secure peace for the Ummah,” he added.

India treads carefully amid shifting dynamics

While Islamabad strengthens ties with Tehran, India is also maintaining its diplomatic channels. On May 9, during the height of India-Pakistan tensions, External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in New Delhi for the 20th India-Iran Joint Commission Meeting. Both sides denounced terrorism and pledged regional cooperation.

Iran had earlier offered to mediate between India and Pakistan, citing their shared cultural history and regional importance. However, India firmly reiterated that the issue of Kashmir remains a bilateral concern and emphasized the return of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and the handover of wanted terrorists as the only points of discussion.

India, while neutral on the Gaza conflict, has supported a two-state solution and urged humanitarian aid for Gaza victims. It condemned both the Hamas-led attacks and the civilian casualties caused by Israel’s response.

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India envoy Dinesh Trivedi meets PM Modi after talks with Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman 

India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi met PM Modi after talks with Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman amid diplomatic tensions.

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India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Tuesday, a day after his meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Dhaka.

According to the High Commission of India in Bangladesh, Trivedi sought PM Modi’s guidance on further strengthening the bilateral relationship between India and Bangladesh through a constructive and people-centric approach.

The meeting came a day after Trivedi held discussions with Tarique Rahman on matters of mutual interest and ways to advance ties between the two neighbouring countries.

Dinesh Trivedi Meets Bangladesh PM

During his meeting with Tarique Rahman on Monday, Trivedi conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Modi and reiterated India’s commitment to working with the Bangladeshi administration and its people in a positive, constructive and forward-looking manner.

The two sides discussed issues of mutual interest and explored avenues for strengthening India-Bangladesh relations with a people-centric approach.

The engagement took place at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Cabinet Division at the Bangladesh Secretariat. Trivedi also shared his experience of serving in Dhaka over the previous two months.

Sheikh Hasina Extradition Request

The meeting assumed significance as Bangladesh has expressed hope that India will expedite the extradition process involving former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted following a student-led uprising in 2024.

According to a statement issued by the Bangladesh Prime Minister’s Office, Dhaka also reiterated its request for India to return individuals it alleges were involved in the killing of Shahid Osman Hadi, a prominent figure associated with the July uprising who was shot on December 12, 2025.

Tarique Rahman stressed the need to create a suitable environment to take forward relations between Bangladesh and India.

Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir and other officials attended the meeting.

India-Bangladesh Ties Amid Diplomatic Friction

The latest high-level engagements come amid diplomatic tensions between the two countries following a virtual press interaction by Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi on August 5.

The event, organised by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia to mark the second anniversary of her ouster, prompted strong objections from Dhaka.

During the interaction, Hasina said she remained determined to return to Bangladesh in December and restore democracy, while acknowledging the possibility of imprisonment or a death sentence upon her return.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs subsequently registered a strong protest and said the development had affected public sentiment and complicated efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

India has said the government had no involvement in the event. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said it was organised by a private media entity and clarified that New Delhi did not endorse views expressed at the forum.

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Trump, PM Modi will resolve tariff issue over Russian oil trade, says US official

White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro said Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will resolve the issue over US tariff threats linked to India’s Russian oil trade.

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US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will resolve the issue surrounding the threat of US tariffs linked to India’s purchase of Russian oil, White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro said on Tuesday.

Navarro’s remarks came days after the US Senate passed a bill authorising the US President to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on the top five purchasers of Russian oil. The measure argues that such purchases directly contribute to financing Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Navarro comments on India’s Russian oil trade

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Navarro said India was not involved in the oil trade with Russia before the Ukraine war began in 2022.

He alleged that India became heavily involved in the trade after Russia’s invasion and sold refined products on behalf of Russia, which he said helped support the Russian war effort.

“Prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, India was not involved in the oil trade with Russia, but afterwards it got heavily involved,” Navarro said.

The White House adviser also claimed that the issue had since been resolved and attributed some of the shift in India’s Russian oil trade to an opinion article he recently wrote in the Financial Times.

Trump and Modi will resolve issue, Navarro says

Navarro said the relationship between Trump and Modi would help address the tariff-related issue.

“The president and your prime minister have a very good working relationship. They are going to work that out amongst themselves,” he said, adding that it was not his place to intervene.

His comments come amid US concerns over countries purchasing Russian oil and proposed measures aimed at imposing additional tariffs on major buyers.

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US Senate passes Russia sanctions bill, India-China face 100% tariff risk

The US Senate has passed a Russia sanctions bill that could allow 100% tariffs on major buyers of Russian oil and gas, including India and China.

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The US Senate has approved a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill that could allow President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil or natural gas, including India and China.

The legislation was passed by an 86-11 vote and will now move to the US House of Representatives, which is scheduled to reconvene on August 31.

The bill is named in honour of Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a strong supporter of Ukraine who died on July 11. Graham had pushed for tougher sanctions against Russia over its war in Ukraine.

India and China among major Russian energy buyers

The legislation gives the US president the power to impose tariffs on the world’s top five purchasers of Russian oil or natural gas.

India and China are among those countries, along with Azerbaijan, Hungary and Slovakia.

The bill also contains an exception for countries importing less than 15% of their natural gas from Russia and taking steps to reduce their dependence on Russian supplies.

What does the Russia sanctions bill contain?

Apart from the proposed tariffs, the legislation includes sanctions targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, senior Russian political and military officials, financial institutions and energy projects.

The bill would also expand US sanctions to older and reflagged oil tankers allegedly used by Moscow to bypass existing restrictions on Russian oil and energy revenues.

At the same time, the White House would have the option to waive sanctions or restrictions if the president certifies to Congress that doing so is in the national interest.

Bill also extends Iran sanctions law

The legislation also contains a provision related to Iran. It would extend the expiration date of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 until 2031.

The law penalises companies that invest in Iran’s energy sector.

The bill’s passage in the Senate marks the next step in the US legislative process, but it still needs approval from the House of Representatives before it can move forward.

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