Sun May 11 17:50:00 UTC 2025: ## India Rejects US Mediation Offer on Kashmir, Reiterates Pakistan Must Return Occupied Territory

**NEW DELHI** – India has firmly rejected US President Donald Trump’s offer to mediate the long-standing Kashmir dispute with Pakistan, stating that the only issue for discussion is Pakistan’s return of “illegally occupied” territory. This stance follows a recent ceasefire, which India attributes to Pakistan initiating contact through military channels, not US mediation.

While President Trump claimed credit for brokering the ceasefire and expressed a desire to mediate a Kashmir solution, government sources cited by PTI news agency emphasized that dialogue with Pakistan will only occur through the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) channel. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri directly contradicted Trump’s assertion, clarifying that the de-escalation was initiated by a Pakistani DGMO call to his Indian counterpart.

The government’s position aligns with its longstanding policy of bilateral resolution of the Kashmir issue, as per the Simla Agreement. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly told US Vice President JD Vance during a phone call that any further aggression from Pakistan would be met with a stronger response. Pakistan, however, welcomed President Trump’s mediation offer. President Trump, in a post on Truth Social, lauded the ceasefire, citing the potential for “millions of deaths” had hostilities continued, and announced plans to boost trade with both India and Pakistan while pursuing a solution to the Kashmir issue.

Read More