India reiterated its position on Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that the territory illegally occupied by Pakistan remains unchanged. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statements made the previous day regarding bilateral negotiations with Pakistan. Despite Pakistan’s requests for mediation, India remains steadfast in resolving the issue directly.
During a press briefing, Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal noted, “India has a long-standing national status regarding Jammu and Kashmir,” stressing that this has not shifted.
In a context of ongoing tensions, Jaiswal pointed out that discussions about the region’s status, particularly concerning Pakistani occupation, must happen through bilateral means. He was responding to queries about U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated offers to mediate.
PM’s message about Kashmir
Following India’s military response to a recent attack, Prime Minister Modi emphasized that any discussions concerning Kashmir should focus solely on addressing terrorism and dismantling Pakistan’s established infrastructure in the region. He articulated, “Fear and discussions cannot coexist,” indicating a lack of trust in negotiations with Pakistan amid ongoing violence.
Highlighting the need for a shift in strategy towards terrorism, he stated that future talks with Pakistan would revolve around ensuring security rather than making concessions.
PM Modi also warned of a severe response to further attacks, underscoring India’s resolve to counter threats decisively. This stance follows recent incidents involving civilian casualties linked to terrorist groups operating from Pakistan.
India’s unchanging Kashmir stance
Historically, India has made it clear that discussions with Pakistan can only include the return of territories taken unlawfully, insisting that these must happen bilaterally. While past discussions have occurred involving third-party mediation, they have never yielded significant outcomes and often reignited tensions.
The U.S. has previously offered to assist in mediating the Kashmir issue, but India has consistently rebuffed such offers, indicating its commitment to bilateral dialogue. This firm stance has been echoed in multiple statements over the years, including past responses to Trump’s comments on mediation.
In summary, India’s position remains that resolutions must be achieved through direct talks with Pakistan, without external intervention, maintaining a consistent narrative in the ongoing geopolitical landscape.
