KARACHI, Pakistan

Pakistan's top diplomat Ishaq Dar on Monday met with the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the UN headquarters in New York to discuss a variety of regional and global issues, including the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), Islamabad's Foreign Ministry said.

Dar, who is on an eight-day visit to the US to attend UN Security Council events and to hold talks with American officials, emphasized issues of critical national and regional importance to Pakistan, particularly the Kashmir dispute, violation of the Indus Waters Treaty by India, and "externally sponsored terrorism" in Pakistan.

India suspended the decades-old water treaty with Pakistan in April after unknown gunmen attacked and killed 26 tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir.

Stressing the imperative of a "just" settlement of the simmering Kashmir dispute per the UNSC resolutions, Dar lauded Guterres' "leadership and sincere efforts" for de-escalation of recent tensions between Pakistan and India.

Dar, who also holds the office of the deputy prime minister, reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering support for Palestinian statehood, an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and firm opposition to Israel’s annexation plans in the West Bank.

He reaffirmed Pakistan’s "unwavering and resolute" commitment to multilateralism and the central role of the UN in addressing the most pressing global challenges.

The Pakistani foreign minister also welcomed the appointment of a UN Special Envoy on Islamophobia and pledged to support global efforts to combat religious intolerance.

In response, Guterres appreciated Pakistan’s presence and initiatives at the UNSC.