Pakistan welcomes Indian dialogue cautiously

1/ Pakistan's Foreign Office on May 14 welcomed "pro-dialogue voices" emerging in India as a "positive development," but struck a cautious tone amid ongoing tensions over Kashmir. This comes after an April 2025 terror attack in the region that killed 26 people, mostly tourists. 2/ The FO spokesperson explicitly rejected what they called "warmongering" rhetoric from some Indian quarters. "We hope that saner voices prevail in India," the spokesperson said, urging both sides to create an environment for meaningful talks. Pakistan emphasized it remains open to dialogue but only on core issues like Kashmir. 3/ Tensions stem from the April 10, 2025, attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, where militants opened fire on a group of Indian tourists. India blamed Pakistan-based groups Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and The Resistance Front (TRF), both designated as terrorists by New Delhi. Pakistan denied involvement, calling for a neutral probe. 4/ In direct response, Indian authorities in Jammu and Kashmir attached property worth 20 lakh rupees (about $7,500) belonging to a Pakistan-based terror handler on May 13. The property in north Kashmir's Baramulla district is linked to Saifullah Kasuri, alias Khalid, an LeT operative based in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), police said. 5/ This attachment is part of India's broader crackdown on terror financing under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. J&K Police stated Kasuri has been directing attacks across the Line of Control since 2021, including recruitment and funding via hawala networks. Over 100 such properties have been seized in Kashmir since 2020. 6/ India's actions fit a pattern: post-2019 revocation of Kashmir's autonomy, New Delhi has ramped up property seizures targeting overground workers (OGWs) and handlers across the border. Similar moves hit assets linked to Hizbul Mujahideen and Jaish-e-Mohammed operatives last month alone. 7/ Meanwhile, the episode underscores South Asia's links to global diplomacy. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on May 13 praised India as a "long-term mediator" between the US and Iran, while noting Pakistan's constructive role in regional talks. "India has good relations with both," Lavrov said at a Moscow briefing. 8/ Lavrov's comments tie into Russia's push for multipolar diplomacy amid US-Iran strains over Tehran's nuclear program and sanctions. He highlighted trilateral formats like Russia-India-Pakistan meetings on Afghanistan, signaling Moscow's view of both neighbors as counterweights in West Asia. 9/ For context, India-Russia ties have deepened via annual summits and arms deals worth $10B+ since 2022. Pakistan, despite its US alliances, maintains close security cooperation with Russia, including recent joint drills. Lavrov's nod positions both as players beyond Kashmir. 10/ Pakistan's cautious welcome may signal a diplomatic thaw, but India shows no letup on enforcement. J&K authorities plan more attachments in the coming weeks, targeting 15 additional PoK-linked assets. No bilateral talks are scheduled as of May 15.