The BRICS TimesWashington and Tehran delegations met in Islamabad for 21 hours following an April 8 ceasefire. However, the talks ended without a breakthrough despite mediation efforts.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh shared a surprising update on the Iran-US conflict. During his Germany visit, he revealed India attempted to mediate between the nations. He noted that everything has a specific timing. Currently, Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkiye are leading the mediation. These efforts led to the first direct talks in Islamabad recently.
A journalist in Germany asked Singh about India’s role in West Asian peace. He replied, “India has made efforts from its side. Sometimes, crises involve complex issues. Everything has its own time. Perhaps tomorrow the time will come when India plays a role and achieves success. We cannot rule out this possibility.”
PM Modi Spoke to Both Sides: Rajnath
The Minister confirmed that PM Narendra Modi held phone discussions with both leaders. He urged US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to end the war. Rajnath Singh emphasized that the Prime Minister maintains a very balanced diplomatic approach.
First Round of Talks in Islamabad
A ceasefire began on April 8, with Pakistan playing a key role in organizing talks. On April 11-12, high-level delegations arrived in Islamabad. J.D. Vance led the Americans, while M.B. Ghalibaf represented Iran. After 21 hours of intense discussion, they reached no agreement. Vance left for Washington following a brief press briefing.
Second Round of Dialogue Postponed
Donald Trump initially praised Shehbaz Sharif and Asim Munir for their efforts. After Munir visited Tehran, both nations agreed to meet again. However, the Iranian delegation failed to reach Islamabad. Consequently, the Vance-led US team also stayed back, causing the talks to stall.
Trump Announces Ceasefire Extension
Following the delay, Donald Trump extended the ceasefire indefinitely. Trump stated he is doing this at the request of Sharif and Munir. He hopes Iran will return to the table with a concrete proposal soon.
