“No Third Party in Kashmir”: India Firmly Rejects Trump’s Mediation Offer

May 11, 2025: Foreign Affairs expert Robinder Sachdev has firmly reiterated India’s longstanding position that no third party has any role in resolving the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. His comments came in response to US President Donald Trump’s renewed offer to mediate between India and Pakistan over the region.

“No third party has any role in our affairs,” Sachdev stated, emphasizing India’s consistent stance that Kashmir is an internal matter and an integral part of India.

While acknowledging the strategic relationship between India and the United States, Sachdev noted that President Trump “wants to be a peacemaker” and is attempting to mediate in multiple global conflicts, such as those in Ukraine and Gaza, where peace remains elusive. “He’s playing out with Ukraine, that still has not reached a peace format, neither has Gaza,” he remarked.

On Truth Social, Trump had claimed credit for helping broker peace, suggesting that the US could assist in resolving the Kashmir issue. “I am proud that the USA was able to help you arrive at this historic and heroic decision… I will work with you both to see if, after a ‘thousand years,’ a solution can be arrived at concerning Kashmir,” Trump posted.

India, however, has consistently and unequivocally rejected any mediation offers regarding Kashmir, maintaining that the matter is strictly bilateral between New Delhi and Islamabad.

Sachdev further praised India’s measured military response to Pakistan in recent cross-border tensions, stating, “A clear and loud message has gone out to the world and to Pakistan that India’s doctrine now is ‘tit for tat.’”

He added, “India must focus on building economic strength and comprehensive national power, without being dragged into wars. But if war or terror is forced upon us, we will respond strongly. That message is now understood globally.”

President Trump had earlier lauded the cessation of hostilities between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, warning that millions could have perished had tensions escalated further.