WASHINGTON DC: India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said that he and his party completely rejects the idea of third-party mediation between Pakistan and India on the ongoing occupied Kashmir issue.
“India’s stance on this issue is quite clear and has been there for decades,” he told Indian media.
“India has been clear for 40 odd years that we would not accept mediation and that whatever has to be discussed bilaterally,” Jaishankar further said.
As per an Indian publication, Jaishankar had said that India’s decision on the abolition of Article 370 also came up in most meetings he held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session.
He also said that Turkey and Malaysia’s stance on Kashmir comes from their understanding of facts from Pakistan’s perspective, if India will brief them, their stance will change.
Earlier, addressing a press talk with Imran, the US president noted that Kashmir’s was a complex issue that had been going on for a long time, but emphasised that arbitration could not be carried out unless both parties involved welcome it.
“If I can help, I will certainly do that,” he said. “If both [Pakistan and India] want, I am ready, willing and able to do it,” he added.
