India Foreign Ministry Response: India on Tuesday reiterated that third-party interference is not acceptable in the matter of Jammu and Kashmir. India and Pakistan will resolve the issue bilaterally. This was stated by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, who also added that Pakistan must vacate PoK. All issues, he said, will be resolved through bilateral dialogue.
The MEA also rejected recent claims by former US President Donald Trump regarding his role in mediating the Kashmir issue and influencing the India-Pakistan ceasefire.
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Foreign Ministry rejects 2 claims by Trump
1. Mediation on Kashmir
MEA Statement: Third-party interference is not acceptable in the matter of Jammu and Kashmir. India and Pakistan will resolve this issue on their own. There is no change in this longstanding position. The pending matter is Pakistan’s occupation of PoK, which will be addressed bilaterally.
What Trump reportedly said: On May 11, Trump said, “I will try to work with both of them to see if a solution to the Kashmir issue can be found after a thousand years.” (Reportedly during a closed-door event, not officially confirmed by US State Department.)
2. Ceasefire linked to trade threats
MEA Clarification: “From the start of Operation Sindoor on May 7 to the agreement on ceasefire on May 10, leaders of India and the US discussed the evolving military situation. Trade was not discussed in any of these conversations.”
What Trump claimed: On May 12, Trump claimed that he had warned the leaders of both countries that if they agreed to a ceasefire, the US would help in trade, and if not, there would be no trade deals. He suggested this pressure led to the ceasefire. (This claim has not been confirmed by either country’s official channels.)
4 Key Takeaways from the MEA Press Conference
1. India will push to list TRF as a terror group at the UN
Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated:
“The Indus Water Treaty will remain suspended. We’ve conducted seven briefings. There is credible evidence. TRF (The Resistance Front) claimed responsibility for the attack. It is a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba. We have submitted a proposal to the UNSC Sanctions Committee to list TRF as a terrorist group. A response is expected soon.”
2. Pakistan plays drums after losing every war
“Operation Sindoor caused significant damage to terror infrastructure in Pakistan. The Indian Army’s capability was clearly demonstrated. Several Pakistani projects were hit. We thwarted a terror strike on the night of May 9. After the airbase strike, Pakistan offered DGMO-level talks. Satellite images of the operation are available and will answer all your questions. Pakistan has a habit of celebrating defeat — they’ve done so after every war.”
3. Efforts ongoing to release BSF Jawan
On BSF constable BK Sahu, who has been in Pakistan’s custody for 20 days, Jaiswal said:
“I do not have an update at this moment. The Defence Ministry and Indian Army are in talks to secure his release. I cannot reveal the ongoing communication details between the two countries.”
4. India concerned over political freedom in Bangladesh
“We are concerned about the situation in Bangladesh. The ban on the Awami League is worrying. Democratic processes seem to be under threat. There is growing obstruction of political and individual freedoms. We hope Bangladesh conducts free and fair elections that uphold democratic values.”
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