India-Pakistan Tensions: Kiren Rijiju Calls Out Critics Over Third-Party Mediation Claims
In a fresh twist to the India-Pakistan standoff, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has slammed those who tried to tarnish India’s image by pushing false narratives about third-party mediation. This comes right after Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar admitted that India firmly rejected any outside help in resolving issues during Operation Sindoor.
Dar’s revelation directly challenges US President Donald Trump’s boasts about brokering a ceasefire between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. Speaking to Al Jazeera, Dar shared details from his talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He said that when Rubio offered mediation on May 10 amid the ceasefire buzz, India shot it down, insisting the matter was strictly bilateral—no third parties allowed.
Dar recounted a July 25 meeting in Washington where he pressed Rubio on the stalled dialogues. Rubio’s response? India stuck to its guns, calling it a bilateral issue. This backs India’s long-held stand that talks with Pakistan must happen directly, without outsiders meddling.
For context, Operation Sindoor saw India launch precise strikes on nine terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). It was a retaliation to the horrific April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 innocent lives. Trump has repeatedly claimed his team stepped in to prevent a nuclear crisis, but India has always denied this, pointing out that the ceasefire came from direct military talks between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both sides.
Rijiju, posting on X (formerly Twitter), didn’t hold back. He questioned if the "campaigners" who spread doubts about India’s position during Operation Sindoor would now say sorry for damaging the country’s reputation. "Pakistan says that India rejected 3rd party role during #OperationSindoor. Will the people who ran a campaign to undermine India image apologize?" he wrote, linking to more details.
On the Pakistan side, Dar showed openness to talks but made it clear they want a full package—covering terrorism, trade, economy, and the Jammu and Kashmir issue. He stressed that Islamabad isn’t begging for dialogue and that it "takes two to tango." "We don’t mind bilateral talks, but they must be comprehensive," Dar added. "If India wants dialogue, we’re ready—dialogue is the way forward, but we can’t force it."
This back-and-forth highlights the ongoing India-Pakistan relations strain, especially after the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor strikes. As tensions simmer, both sides seem firm: India on no third-party role, and Pakistan pushing for broader discussions. Will this lead to real talks? Only time will tell.
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