ISLAMABAD, Thursday, May 15, 2025 (WNP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of any future Indian aggression, expressing concern over recent provocative statements by the Indian leadership.

In a telephone conversation with President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, the prime minister said that while Pakistan remained committed to the 2021 ceasefire understanding with India in the interest of regional peace, any miscalculation or escalation would be met with a resolute response.

He underlined that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains the core issue threatening peace and stability in South Asia, and called for its resolution in line with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. In this context, the prime minister extended his heartfelt appreciation to President Aliyev for Azerbaijan’s unwavering support to the Kashmir cause.

During the cordial exchange, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep gratitude to President Aliyev for standing firmly with Pakistan during the recent South Asian crisis. He said that Azerbaijan’s solidarity reflected the enduring brotherhood between the two nations and the personal goodwill of the Azerbaijani president toward the people of Pakistan.

“The steadfast support of President Aliyev during a time of regional tension is a testament to his deep commitment to Pakistan and our shared values,” the prime minister stated.

He also lauded the people of Azerbaijan for their overwhelming expressions of support, saying this reaffirmed the depth and strength of the bilateral relationship. “Our nations have always stood shoulder to shoulder as true brothers,” he said.

Discussing Pakistan-Azerbaijan bilateral ties, the prime minister described the relationship as “special, time-tested, and rooted in mutual respect.” He said Pakistan was eager to transform this bond into a robust economic partnership and expressed satisfaction with the ongoing work to finalize investment proposals worth $2 billion from Azerbaijan across various sectors in Pakistan.

Prime Minister Sharif extended a warm invitation to President Aliyev to undertake an official visit to Islamabad at his earliest convenience—a gesture graciously accepted by the Azerbaijani leader.

President Aliyev, in turn, congratulated the prime minister on Pakistan’s recent achievements and welcomed the ceasefire understanding with India. He commended Pakistan’s commitment to peace and reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s desire to further deepen cooperation in all areas.

Following the call, Prime Minister Sharif also shared his sentiments on social media platform X, stating:

> “Spoke to my dear brother President Ilham Aliyev this afternoon and conveyed my profound gratitude for Azerbaijan’s resolute support during the recent crisis in South Asia. The unwavering support of Azerbaijan’s leadership and people demonstrated that Pakistan and Azerbaijan are true brothers.”

He added that both leaders also discussed ways to expand economic cooperation, including enhanced Azerbaijani investments in Pakistan, and reiterated his invitation for an early visit by President Aliyev.

The conversation, which comes amid rising regional tensions, reinforced Pakistan’s diplomatic and strategic alignment with Azerbaijan and sent a clear message of unity and mutual support in the face of external threats.