Islamabad under consideration for hosting next Iran-US talks

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said on Thursday that indirect contacts between Iran and the United States in Doha had made progress, with the Foreign Office indicating that Islamabad could be considered for a future round of negotiations.

At his weekly media briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan and Qatar had separately met the Iranian and US negotiating teams in Doha, and that both sides had agreed to continue the process in the coming period. He said the latest engagement had produced movement on matters linked to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, which he said built on the Lake Lucerne Summit.

Andrabi did not disclose the substance of the discussions, saying the confidential nature of the process required restraint. He nevertheless said the talks remained on track and that the mediation effort had not stalled.

He said, "There was positive progress made on issues related to the aspects of the Islamabad MoU, building on the Lake Lucerne Summit."

On whether Pakistan could host the next round, Andrabi said he could not rule out future meetings in Islamabad, although no venue had been finalised. He added that the next phase of talks would be scheduled after the funeral of the late Iranian leader.

He also said, "We should rejoice in the fact that the dialogue is continuing. The parties are still at the table."

Prime minister to travel to Tehran

The spokesperson's remarks came as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was set to leave for Tehran on Friday to attend the funeral of Ayatollah Khamenei and offer condolences on behalf of Pakistan. The visit, reflects Islamabad's close relationship with Tehran and comes as Pakistan has taken on a wider diplomatic role in facilitating engagement between Tehran and Washington.

Pakistan and Qatar jointly helped mediate the signing of the Islamabad MoU last month, which opened the way for renewed diplomatic contact between Iran and the United States.

Foreign Office criticism of India on water treaty

During the same briefing, the Foreign Office stepped up its criticism of India over the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, with Andrabi accusing New Delhi of trying to use water pressure as leverage.

He rejected what he described as India's attempt to connect terrorism allegations with its decision to place the treaty in abeyance, and said, "The real issue is not terrorism. The real issue is the growing disposition within the Indian leadership to treat a shared international river system as a strategic asset that can be controlled, withheld or diverted at will."

Andrabi said no country could turn Pakistan into a barren land by stopping its waters, and maintained that Pakistan reserved the right to take all available measures under international law to safeguard its interests. He also said Pakistan remained committed to implementation of the treaty and to maintaining communication through the mechanism of the Indus Water Commissioners.

Concerns over militancy linked to Afghan territory

On Afghanistan, Andrabi reiterated Pakistan's concerns about the use of Afghan territory by militant groups carrying out attacks inside Pakistan. He said Afghan nationals, including one militant captured alive, had been involved in the recent Karachi terrorist attack.

He said the development had led Pakistan to summon the Afghan chargé d'affaires and deliver a strong demarche. Responding to questions about Pakistan's recent cross-border strikes, Andrabi said the operations were targeted, proportional and intelligence-based, and were directed only at militant hideouts.

He also said Pakistan reserved the right to respond to provocations, including drone incursions from across the border, under Article 51 of the UN Charter. At the same time, he said tensions with Kabul were affecting regional connectivity efforts, adding that trade and economic initiatives could not advance if terrorism-related concerns were not addressed.

Andrabi also clarified that there had been no change in the diplomatic status of the two countries' envoys or of the embassies in Kabul and Islamabad.