Addressing reporters at a regular briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “India has a long-standing national position... issues pertaining to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir must be resolved bilaterally between India and Pakistan.” He firmly added, “The outstanding matter is the vacation of illegally occupied territory by Pakistan.”

Prime Minister Modi, speaking Monday night after the success of Operation Sindoor, had categorically stated that India would only engage Pakistan on two subjects — the dismantling of terror infrastructure and the return of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). “Terror and talks can’t go together. Terror and trade can’t happen together. Terror and water can’t flow together,” Modi declared, referencing the suspended Indus Waters Treaty and Pakistan's reported interest in its revival as part of the ceasefire dialogue.

India’s stance has consistently rejected third-party involvement in the Kashmir issue, despite repeated offers from international leaders, including President Trump, who once again proposed mediation this week. “After a thousand years, perhaps now we can find a solution,” Trump posted, a comment welcomed in Islamabad but dismissed in New Delhi.

India had earlier rejected similar offers in 2019, including Trump’s now-discredited claim that PM Modi had personally asked him to mediate. That led to a U.S. State Department clarification, affirming Kashmir as a bilateral issue.

With tensions simmering and India's military doctrine evolving, New Delhi has made it unequivocally clear: any dialogue with Pakistan begins and ends with counter-terrorism and reclaiming sovereign territory.

Addressing reporters at a regular briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “India has a long-standing national position... issues pertaining to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir must be resolved bilaterally between India and Pakistan.” He firmly added, “The outstanding matter is the vacation of illegally occupied territory by Pakistan.”

Prime Minister Modi, speaking Monday night after the success of Operation Sindoor, had categorically stated that India would only engage Pakistan on two subjects — the dismantling of terror infrastructure and the return of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). “Terror and talks can’t go together. Terror and trade can’t happen together. Terror and water can’t flow together,” Modi declared, referencing the suspended Indus Waters Treaty and Pakistan's reported interest in its revival as part of the ceasefire dialogue.

India’s stance has consistently rejected third-party involvement in the Kashmir issue, despite repeated offers from international leaders, including President Trump, who once again proposed mediation this week. “After a thousand years, perhaps now we can find a solution,” Trump posted, a comment welcomed in Islamabad but dismissed in New Delhi.

India had earlier rejected similar offers in 2019, including Trump’s now-discredited claim that PM Modi had personally asked him to mediate. That led to a U.S. State Department clarification, affirming Kashmir as a bilateral issue.

With tensions simmering and India's military doctrine evolving, New Delhi has made it unequivocally clear: any dialogue with Pakistan begins and ends with counter-terrorism and reclaiming sovereign territory.