Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday held a phone conversation with Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Advisor Touhid Hossein to discuss the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, with a focus on preserving regional stability and security.

During the conversation, Dar briefed Hossein on Pakistan’s position regarding the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and denied Indian allegations of involvement. He also expressed concern over India’s unilateral actions, including its decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), which has heightened regional tensions.

Touhid Hossein stressed the importance of restraint and underscored the urgency of de-escalating hostilities to maintain peace in South Asia. Both sides reiterated their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and promoting cooperation in regional and international platforms.

The outreach comes as Pakistan seeks diplomatic support amid worsening relations with India. Islamabad sees its growing ties with Dhaka — especially after the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina-led government in August 2024 — as strategically significant.

“In the current scenario, Islamabad’s biggest support base is China. Regionally, the other support will come from Bangladesh in case the conflict with India escalates into a military confrontation,” said senior geopolitical analyst Kamran Yousaf.

Pakistan has launched a series of diplomatic efforts aimed at countering India’s stance, including attempts to engage global powers such as the United States to mediate on the IWT issue, which remains a top concern for Islamabad.

Maintaining its innocence, Pakistan has denied any role in the Pahalgam incident and has called for a neutral, credible investigation. Meanwhile, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned that any Indian attempt to block Pakistan’s water supply would be seen as an “act of war,” vowing to target any new infrastructure projects aimed at diverting water.