Pakistan Says India Rejected US Role in Ceasefire Talks
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, has stated that India never agreed to any third-party mediation during ceasefire negotiations related to Operation Sindoor. He said that while a ceasefire offer did come via the United States, India insisted that the matter remain strictly bilateral.
Dar’s Statement on Dialogue
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Dar said Pakistan is open to third-party mediation if India is willing, but New Delhi has consistently refused. He recalled asking U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington what happened to dialogue claims, to which Rubio responded that India considers the issue a bilateral one.
Contradicting Trump’s Claims
Dar’s admission counters earlier claims made by U.S. President Donald Trump, who said the U.S. had mediated a ceasefire between India and Pakistan after Operation Sindoor. According to Dar, India did not accept those mediation offers.
Implications for Future Relations
The statement reaffirms India’s consistent diplomatic position that issues with Pakistan must be resolved bilaterally. It also raises questions about how foreign claims of mediation are communicated and perceived. Pakistan maintains that dialogue can happen but only if both sides agree.
