Ishaq Dar Meets UN Chief in New York as Pakistan Pushes Diplomacy on Iran Crisis and Regional Stability

By Sardar Burhan :

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres in New York on Wednesday, with discussions focusing on the Middle East crisis, South Asian tensions and Pakistan’s recent diplomatic role in mediating between the United States and Iran.

The meeting took place during Dar’s two-day visit to New York, where he is attending high-level diplomatic engagements at the United Nations amid growing global concern over regional conflicts and international security challenges.

According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, Dar praised the UN chief for his commitment to multilateral diplomacy and the principles of the United Nations, while also acknowledging his continued cooperation with Pakistan on regional and international issues.

The two leaders held detailed discussions on developments in the Middle East and West Asia, including the ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran. During the meeting, Dar thanked Guterres for what Islamabad described as his principled support for Pakistan’s mediation efforts aimed at reducing tensions between Tehran and Washington.

Pakistan has increasingly highlighted its diplomatic role in facilitating dialogue between the two countries after hostilities escalated earlier this year. Although a comprehensive peace agreement has not yet been reached, large-scale fighting has largely subsided since the two sides agreed to a Pakistan-brokered ceasefire on April 8.

Islamabad later hosted direct talks between American and Iranian officials on April 11 and 12, marking a rare diplomatic breakthrough after years of hostility between the two countries. While the discussions ended without a formal agreement, both sides agreed to continue engagement through diplomatic channels.

During his meeting with the UN secretary-general, Dar said Pakistan remained committed to dialogue and peaceful engagement to help restore stability in the region. He also referred to the Islamabad talks as an important diplomatic achievement and emphasized the importance of sustained diplomacy in preventing further escalation.

The foreign minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for the principles of the UN Charter and stressed the need for constructive international engagement to address global conflicts.

According to the Foreign Office, Dar also discussed reform of international institutions and expressed support for the UN80 initiative, which aims to modernise and streamline United Nations operations in response to changing global realities.

He emphasized that developing countries should remain central to the reform process and called for greater inclusivity, transparency and sovereign equality within the international system.

Dar argued that broader representation at the United Nations could only be achieved through the addition of elected members rather than concentration of authority among a limited group of states.

The two leaders also exchanged views on South Asia, where Dar raised concerns over recent statements by India, saying inflammatory rhetoric was contributing to instability in the region.

The foreign minister criticised India’s decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, calling the move a violation of international law and established norms governing relations between states.

On the issue of Kashmir, Dar reiterated Pakistan’s longstanding position that the dispute remains central to relations between Islamabad and New Delhi and that a peaceful settlement is essential for lasting regional stability.

The situation in Afghanistan also came under discussion, with Dar stating that peace and stability in Afghanistan were crucial for the wider region. At the same time, he voiced concerns over militant activity originating from Afghan territory and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to protecting its national security in accordance with international law.

The leaders further discussed the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the broader Palestinian issue. Dar praised Guterres for his continued advocacy of a two-state solution and support for efforts aimed at securing peace in the region.

According to the Foreign Office, the UN secretary-general appreciated Pakistan’s active diplomatic engagement at the United Nations and acknowledged the country’s contributions to international peacekeeping and conflict resolution efforts.

During his visit, Dar also participated in a United Nations Security Council debate chaired by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, where he called for continued diplomatic engagement to prevent further escalation in the US-Iran conflict.

Separately, the Pakistani foreign minister held meetings with several counterparts on the sidelines of the UN engagements.

Dar met Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, with both sides discussing trade, investment and cooperation at multilateral forums including the United Nations. Officials said the two countries reaffirmed their close bilateral ties and agreed to strengthen cooperation further.

He also met Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, where discussions focused on expanding bilateral relations and exploring new areas of cooperation.

In another meeting, Dar held talks with Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka, discussing opportunities to deepen collaboration in trade, science and technology, education and investment.

The foreign minister also met his Portuguese counterpart, with discussions covering bilateral ties, regional developments and cooperation at international forums.

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