Saudi foreign minister refuses to condemn Pakistan over Pulwama attack

NEW DELHI: Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel Aljubeir on Wednesday refused to condemn Pakistan over the Pulwama attack which killed over 40 Indian paramilitary soldiers.

In an interview with India Today, the Saudi foreign minister, who is part of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman's delegation visiting India, said, "How can we condemn Pakistan when we don’t have the evidence before us yet."

Adel Aljubeir added, "India and Saudi Arabia have shared concerns on terror, we will work together to de-escalate tensions."

The Saudi crown prince led a delegation to India after his visit to Pakistan.

The already sour relations between India and Pakistan have worsened over the past week as New Delhi piled blame on Islamabad for the Pulwama attack.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Imran Khan responded to Indian allegations and offered to investigate the Pulwama attack if India shares "actionable intelligence with Pakistan". In a video message to the nation, PM Imran said, "Pakistan is ready to investigate the attack and act if India provides actionable intelligence. Not because we are under pressure but because it is our policy."

Over 40 Indian paramilitary personnel were killed last week when an explosives-packed van rammed a convoy transporting 2,500 security forces in Pulwama, in the deadliest attack in Indian-occupied Kashmir in 30 years.