In a significant diplomatic development, Saudi Arabia's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir made a surprise visit to New Delhi on Thursday amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan following Operation Sindoor.

Al-Jubeir met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who later posted on social media about their discussions on "firmly countering terrorism." The visit coincided with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi's arrival in India after offering to mediate between New Delhi and Islamabad-signaling regional powers' deep concern over the escalating crisis.

India's military strikes in Pakistan and PoK, retaliating for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, have inflamed hostilities. Meanwhile, Pakistan's NSA post, newly filled by ISI chief Lt Gen Asim Malik, hints at Islamabad's military taking charge of back-channel talks.

Pakistan's deputy PM Ishaq Dar confirmed secret NSA-level contacts between India and Pakistan, raising hopes of quiet diplomacy to avert open conflict.