Pakistani Defense Minister discusses Saudi Arabia ties, Afghanistan peace talks

Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif accuses India of derailing peace talks with Afghanistan while stressing in an interview that the joint defense agreement with Saudi Arabia strengthens the deep-rooted relations between the two countries.

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan last month signed the Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Riyadh.

Gaza force

Commenting on the recent developments in Gaza, Asif said that Pakistan is ready to be part of the international force that is being prepped to be deployed in the Strip if invited.

The force is part of US President Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza that led to a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.

Pakistan-Afghanistan talks

On clashes with Afghanistan, Asif accused India of being behind the collapse of peace talks, he said.

The accusation comes as Pakistan and Afghanistan have been holding negotiations in Istanbul aimed at securing peace after the South Asian neighbors’ deadliest border clashes in years.

Pakistan said on Wednesday that negotiations for a lasting truce with Afghanistan had “failed to bring about a workable solution,” adding that it would take steps to protect its people.