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Türkiye has emerged as a crucial diplomatic player in securing Saturday's cease-fire agreement between India and Pakistan, working alongside the United States to halt dangerous military escalation between the nuclear-armed rivals. The cease-fire, which took effect at 4:30 p.m. local time (11:30 GMT), comes after days of missile strikes and counterattacks that threatened to spiral into a full-scale war.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar specifically acknowledged Türkiye's significant contribution to the peace agreement, stating that "Saudi Arabia and Türkiye played an important role in facilitating the deal." This recognition highlights Ankara's growing influence as a mediator in complex regional conflicts and its strengthening diplomatic position in South Asia.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held direct phone conversations with his Pakistani counterpart as tensions escalated, according to Pakistan's Foreign Ministry. The ministry statement noted that Dar "briefed him on the deteriorating regional situation" during their discussions, suggesting Türkiye was actively engaged in behind-the-scenes diplomacy as the crisis intensified.
Turkish National Defense Minister Yasar Guler's meeting with Pakistan's Ambassador to Türkiye Yusuf Junaid in Ankara on Friday set the stage for Ankara's crucial mediation role. The Turkish Ministry of Defense described Pakistan as a "friendly and brotherly country" in its social media announcement of the talks, which came just one day before the cease-fire was reached.
This high-level engagement, followed by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan's direct phone conversations with his Pakistani counterpart, demonstrated Türkiye's deep involvement in the crisis resolution process. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had previously expressed that Türkiye was prepared to do "its utmost" to alleviate tensions between the two nuclear powers, even referring to Pakistani civilians killed by Indian strikes as "martyrs" - signaling Ankara's strong diplomatic support that ultimately helped bring Pakistan to the negotiating table.
While U.S. President Donald Trump announced the cease-fire on his Truth Social platform, saying he was "pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE," the acknowledgment of Türkiye's role points to Ankara's successful diplomatic efforts working in tandem with Washington to bring both sides to the negotiating table.
The cease-fire announcement coincided with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's disclosure that over the past 48 hours, he and Vice President JD Vance engaged in intensive talks with senior officials from both countries, including direct conversations with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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