India has firmly reiterated its long-standing and uncompromising stance on the Kashmir issue, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent offer to mediate between India and Pakistan. Government sources from New Delhi have made it abundantly clear: India does not accept any third-party intervention in the Kashmir matter, emphasizing that the only issue left to resolve is the return of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK).
A senior Indian government source stated unequivocally:
"We have a very clear position on Kashmir. There is only one matter left – the return of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. There is nothing else to talk about. We don't want anyone to mediate. We don't need anyone to mediate."
This sharp response came after Trump, in a post on his platform Truth Social, praised both countries for agreeing to de-escalate after recent hostilities and expressed his readiness to facilitate a solution:
“I will work with you both to see if, after a ‘thousand years,’ a solution can be arrived at concerning Kashmir. God Bless the leadership of India and Pakistan on a job well done!!!”
Pakistan, however, welcomed the mediation offer, seeing it as an opportunity to reassert its narrative. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked President Trump and described the U.S. role as "constructive." A statement from Islamabad emphasized that Kashmir remains a longstanding international dispute, adding:
"We reaffirm that any just and lasting settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute must be in accordance with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and must ensure the realization of the fundamental rights of the Kashmiri people, including their inalienable right to self-determination."
While both nations agreed to de-escalate tensions on Saturday after four consecutive days of cross-border strikes—a development first mentioned by Trump and later confirmed by India—New Delhi has not softened its strategic or diplomatic position.
India has consistently maintained that Kashmir is an internal matter and that any dialogue with Pakistan will only proceed once Islamabad takes credible, verifiable action against cross-border terrorism. The current government has also repeatedly stated that PoK is an integral part of India under illegal occupation, and its return remains the only subject of concern in any potential India-Pakistan discussion.
This latest episode underscores the divergent worldviews of India and Pakistan on the Kashmir issue and further highlights India’s sovereignty-first approach in global diplomatic engagement, especially regarding sensitive territorial matters.
