Norway backs Pakistan mediation in US-Iran war during Islamabad talks

Norway backed Pakistan's mediation efforts in the US-Iran war during talks in Islamabad. The meeting also pushed wider Pakistan-Norway cooperation on trade, investment and regional issues.Stock photo used for illustrationNorwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide on Thursday backed Iran's right to protect itself as a state and voiced support for Pakistan's role in efforts to mediate in the ongoing US-Iran war during talks with Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar in Islamabad. The two sides also discussed bilateral cooperation and regional and international developments.After delegation-level talks, Eide said Norway supported Pakistan's efforts to help end the conflict. Dar, meanwhile, said both countries shared a commitment to multilateralism, the UN Charter, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the peaceful resolution of disputes.According to a Foreign Office statement, the meeting reviewed the full range of bilateral cooperation in areas including trade, investment, climate change, maritime affairs and education. The two sides also held in-depth discussions on regional and international developments of mutual interest.Speaking to the media, Eide said, "I also really want to reiterate our strong support for the very important role that Pakistan has taken in this dramatic war that started on February 28 with the US-Israel attack on Iran." He added that while Norway had "significant disagreements with Iran on other issues, they also have the right to be protected as a state". Referring to Pakistan's efforts, he said, "I know what a massive task you were taking on when you offered Islamabad not only as the venue but also as the facilitator of these talks." He added, "What you have been doing is really a service to the world, and hence, also to us," and said Norway was among the Western countries that was "clearest and earliest" in saying that the war was a violation of international rules. Eide also praised the recently signed defence pact between Pakistan, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia in Makkah, saying these were three countries with whom Norway had "very good and close relations". On his two-day visit, Eide, the first Norwegian foreign minister to visit Pakistan in a decade, said he also discussed other regional issues, ranging from Kashmir to Afghanistan.Dar said he had briefed Eide on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and also spoke about the abeyance of the Indus Waters Treaty. He said Pakistan greatly valued its relations with Norway and looked forward to strengthening them further. Dar said both sides agreed that bilateral trade was below the potential of the two economies and needed to be improved through effective measures. He said Pakistan offered major investment opportunities to Norwegian companies. "Our technology partnership with Norway is a success story," he said, highlighting a five-fold increase in Pakistan's IT exports to Norway. Dar said the two sides had agreed on the expeditious finalisation of various agreements and MOUs between the two countries. "We are grateful to Norway's maritime authorities for their support in capacity building and providing technical training for Pakistan's shipbreaking industry," he said. He added that both countries had also agreed to enhance people-to-people contacts, and that labour mobility was discussed.The talks between Dar and Eide focused on Pakistan-Norway ties as well as the wider regional situation, with Norway backing Pakistan's mediatory efforts in the US-Iran war and both sides identifying scope for stronger cooperation in trade, investment, technology, maritime affairs and people-to-people links.With PTI Inputs- EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Aug 13, 2026 17:52 IST