Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, in a rare public admission, stated that India has never agreed to any third-party mediation on issues between the two countries, directly contradicting former US President Donald Trump’s claim of brokering a ceasefire after Operation Sindoor. Speaking to Al Jazeera, Dar emphasized that while Pakistan remains open to dialogue, India has not responded to its overtures. He reiterated that Pakistan has no objection to third-party involvement, but stressed that New Delhi has consistently maintained that all issues must be resolved bilaterally.
Dar clarified that any future talks must be comprehensive, covering a wide range of issues including terrorism, trade, the economy, and Jammu and Kashmir. He said Pakistan is prepared for such discussions, but stressed that progress depends on India’s willingness to engage. According to Dar, a ceasefire offer had indeed come through the US, and there had been a suggestion for dialogue at a neutral venue, but this did not amount to formal mediation.
He also revealed that Pakistan had sought clarification from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding Trump’s earlier statement about mediation. Rubio reportedly confirmed that India has always maintained its position of treating the matter as bilateral, reaffirming that no formal third-party mediation had been accepted by New Delhi. Dar’s remarks underscore Pakistan’s continued interest in dialogue while highlighting the diplomatic impasse between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
