'Pakistan Must Vacate POK, No Third-Party Mediation on Jammu and Kashmir': MEA Reaffirms Stance

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): India has once again reiterated that all issues related to Jammu and Kashmir are to be resolved bilaterally between India and Pakistan. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Tuesday that there is no change in this policy. He stressed that the pending issue is the evacuation of Indian territory illegally occupied by Pakistan.

"Our long-standing national stance has been that any issue relating to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has to be resolved bilaterally by India and Pakistan. There is no change in this policy. The pending matter is the evacuation of Indian territory illegally occupied by Pakistan," Randhir Jaiswal said at a press conference here. He said the terrorism infrastructure destroyed by India (in Pakistan and PoK) was responsible not only for the deaths of Indians but also for the deaths of many other innocent people across the world. This is now a new normal. The sooner Pakistan understands this, the better it will be.

The spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs said, “A few days ago you saw that the Indus Water Treaty has been suspended after the CCS decision. I would like to take you back a little. The Indus Water Treaty was based on the spirit of goodwill and friendship, as stated in the preamble of the treaty. Pakistan has disregarded these principles by promoting cross-border terrorism for the last several decades. Now as per the CCS decision, India will suspend the treaty until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abandons its support for cross-border terrorism.” Randhir Jaiswal also spoke on US President Donald Trump's claim of mediation and the role of trade in the ceasefire. He said, “From the start of 'Operation Sindoor' on May 7 to the agreement to stop firing and military action on May 10, there were discussions between Indian and American leaders on the emerging military situation. The issue of trade did not arise in any of these discussions.”

He said, “The specific date, time and wording of the agreement were worked out during a phone call between the DGMOs of the two countries on 10 May 2025 at 15:35. As you would be aware, the Foreign Secretary had made a statement in this regard. The Pakistani side initially faced difficulties in contacting the Indian side due to technical issues. Let me be clear, it was the strength of Indian weapons that forced Pakistan to stop its firing. As far as interactions with other countries are concerned, India's message was clear and consistent.”