Pakistan’s foreign minister emphasizes India’s stance on bilateral discussions over mediation.
India has firmly stated that any dialogue with Pakistan must occur at a bilateral level, according to Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. In an interview with Al Jazeera aired on Monday, Dar responded to questions regarding the potential for third-party mediation in talks between the two nations. He noted, “India has been categorically saying that it is bilateral, so we don’t mind bilateral.”
Dar’s remarks come in light of recent tensions between India and Pakistan, particularly following India’s military operations on May 7, which targeted what it described as terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. This action was taken in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. Subsequently, the Pakistan Army retaliated with shelling along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in civilian casualties.
In the context of ceasefire negotiations initiated in May, Dar recounted how the ceasefire offer was communicated to him through U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He mentioned that Rubio conveyed a message on May 10, suggesting that a dialogue between Pakistan and India would soon take place at an independent location. However, Dar emphasized that, according to India, the issue remains a bilateral one. He stated, “We are not begging for anything…any country…So unless India wishes to have dialogue, we don’t wish to force them.”
This assertion by Dar contradicts claims made by U.S. President Donald Trump, who stated earlier this year that he had mediated dialogue between India and Pakistan. Following the ceasefire offer, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced that the Pakistani director general of military operations had reached out to propose an end to hostilities. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated this stance in a national address on May 12.
However, this announcement coincided with Trump’s assertion on social media that India and Pakistan had agreed to a ceasefire, which he claimed was facilitated by the U.S. administration. Rubio also posted that New Delhi and Islamabad had agreed to commence discussions on a range of issues at a neutral site. This version of events has been publicly rejected by New Delhi.
On June 17, Prime Minister Modi clarified during a phone call with Trump that India’s agreement to the ceasefire was made solely at Islamabad’s request. Foreign Secretary Misri emphasized that Modi made it clear to Trump that there was no discussion at any level regarding a U.S.-mediated dialogue or related trade deals during this episode. The insistence on bilateral discussions reflects India’s long-standing policy in dealing with Pakistan, asserting that third-party intervention is not welcomed.
