India Firmly Rejects Mediation, Insists on Bilateral Dialogue with Pakistan: FM Dar Reveals Unwavering Stance

In a significant disclosure during a joint press conference with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar revealed India's firm and consistent rejection of any third-party mediation concerning the contentious Kashmir issue. According to Dar, India has unequivocally communicated its stance: any dialogue or resolution of outstanding matters between the two nuclear-armed neighbours must remain strictly bilateral.

This revelation underscores a long-standing cornerstone of India's foreign policy regarding its relationship with Pakistan.

India has historically maintained that the Kashmir region is an integral part of its territory and that all related issues are internal matters, to be discussed and resolved exclusively through bilateral channels, without external interference. This position has been reiterated countless times across various diplomatic platforms and engagements, emphasizing sovereignty and direct engagement.

Dar further highlighted that even the United States, a global superpower often involved in international conflict resolution, aligns with this bilateral approach.

He noted that the US's consistent position has been to encourage both India and Pakistan to resolve their disputes mutually, without the need for external intermediaries. This statement from Dar, made during his visit to Washington for talks with Blinken, provides crucial insight into the complex diplomatic landscape surrounding India-Pakistan relations and the international community's role.

India's demand for a terror-free environment for dialogue is also a critical component of its stance.

While expressing a desire for normal, neighbourly relations with Pakistan, New Delhi has consistently placed the onus on Islamabad to curb cross-border terrorism and dismantle terror infrastructures. This prerequisite often serves as a significant hurdle to initiating meaningful bilateral engagements, setting a clear condition for the resumption of comprehensive talks.

The Pakistani Foreign Minister's comments offer a fresh perspective on the persistent challenges of fostering peace and stability in South Asia.

They reaffirm that despite international calls for de-escalation and dialogue, the path forward remains intricate, heavily influenced by historical grievances, entrenched national policies, and the fundamental disagreement over the very mechanism of resolution itself. The adherence to bilateralism by India, backed by the US's encouragement, suggests that any significant breakthroughs will likely hinge on direct, high-level diplomatic efforts between New Delhi and Islamabad, rather than external interventions or mediated discussions.