Bhubaneswar, Sep 17: In a significant diplomatic revelation, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has confirmed that India categorically rejected third-party mediation during the May 2025 hostilities between the two nations. His remarks, made during an interview with Al Jazeera on the sidelines of the Arab-Islamic emergency summit in Doha, directly contradict repeated claims by U.S. President Donald Trump that Washington played a key role in brokering a ceasefire.

Dar’s Statement in Doha

Speaking to Al Jazeera, Dar stated that India maintained its long-standing position that all disputes with Pakistan are bilateral in nature. “India has categorically been stating it's a bilateral matter,” Dar said, adding that Pakistan was open to dialogue but could not impose talks unilaterally.

Dar recalled a conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who informed him that India had declined any third-party involvement. This aligns with India’s consistent stance that the ceasefire following Operation Sindoor was achieved through direct military-to-military communication, not external mediation.

Operation Sindoor and Trump’s Claims

Operation Sindoor was launched by India in early May 2025 in response to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which killed 26 civilians. The operation targeted nine terror infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

President Trump had claimed credit for brokering peace between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, suggesting that U.S. diplomacy prevented a potential “nuclear war.” However, Dar’s statement now publicly disputes that narrative, reinforcing India’s assertion that the ceasefire was reached independently.

Also Read: Operation Sindoor A Landmark In India’s Defence History: President Murmu

Diplomatic Clarity

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said the ceasefire was achieved through direct military-to-military talks between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two nations.

This is the first time Pakistan has openly aligned with India’s position on rejecting third-party mediation. The development adds clarity to the diplomatic narrative surrounding the May conflict and underscores India’s firm approach to bilateral engagement.

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