We Must Admit Pakistan Did What Others Could Not’: Indian-Administered Kashmir’s Chief Minister Praises Pakistan’s Peace Role

Srinagar
In a remarkably candid statement, Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister of Indian-administered Kashmir, has openly praised Pakistan’s pivotal role in brokering the US-Iran ceasefire — an acknowledgment that has drawn widespread attention across South Asia.
“We have to admit that Pakistan did what others could not,” Abdullah said, crediting Islamabad with achieving a diplomatic breakthrough that eluded far larger powers.
In a pointed self-critique of India’s foreign policy positioning, Abdullah acknowledged that New Delhi’s close ties with Israel had become a strategic liability in this context. “This war was only desired by Israel,” he said, adding that had India not been so closely aligned with Israel, it could have played the same constructive role that Pakistan ultimately did.
Despite the implicit criticism of his own government’s stance, Abdullah welcomed the ceasefire outcome. “It is good that the ceasefire happened, even if Pakistan played the role in bringing it about,” he said.
The statement is being seen as extraordinary by political observers, given how rare it is for an Indian political leader to publicly credit Pakistan with a significant international achievement. Abdullah’s remarks are expected to spark considerable debate within Indian political circles.