The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has made it clear that there is no change in India’s position on Kashmir. Responding to Trump’s renewed mediation offer and his assertion of facilitating peace through trade, the MEA stated, “Any issues related to Jammu and Kashmir have to be addressed by India and Pakistan bilaterally.” India has consistently dismissed any scope for third-party intervention, emphasizing that the Kashmir dispute is not open for international mediation.
President Trump recently claimed credit for the ceasefire understanding between India and Pakistan, suggesting that his administration leveraged trade deals to bring both sides to the table. India has categorically denied these claims. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clarified that no discussions on trade took place with the US in connection with the ceasefire. He explained that the cessation of hostilities was a direct result of India’s strong military response under Operation Sindoor, which targeted key terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
“It was the force of Indian arms that compelled Pakistan to stop its firing,” Jaiswal said, adding that Pakistan reached out for a ceasefire following significant damage inflicted by Indian operations.
The government’s policy is now more assertive than ever. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has publicly stated that the only talks India will hold with Pakistan are about the return of PoK. This marks a paradigm shift in India’s approach, moving away from defensive diplomacy to a proactive stance on reclaiming all of Jammu and Kashmir as integral to India’s territorial integrity.
Following India’s pushback, the US State Department has clarified that it now supports “direct communication” between India and Pakistan, moving away from the idea of external mediation. The US has commended both countries for choosing dialogue and peace but has acknowledged India’s firm stance on bilateralism.
India’s rejection of third-party mediation is rooted in the Simla Agreement of 1972, which established that all disputes between India and Pakistan would be resolved bilaterally. Successive Indian governments have maintained this position, regardless of international pressure or offers of intervention.