Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Ishaq Dar has confirmed that India firmly rejected any third-party mediation between the two countries, particularly in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor. In an interview, Dar said India has made it "categorically" clear that it views all issues between the two nations as bilateral. "India has categorically been stating it's bilateral. So, we don't mind bilateral," Dar said.
Recounting a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on July 25, Dar said he raised the issue of stalled dialogue between India and Pakistan. "I asked him what happened to the dialogue between India and Pakistan. He said that India says that it is a bilateral issue."
Dar emphasised that Pakistan is open to peaceful dialogue, regardless of whether it is initiated bilaterally or encouraged by other countries. "If any country wants dialogue, we are happy, we are welcome. We believe that dialogue is the way forward," he added.
Tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours spiked in May after India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7. The operation targeted what India described as terrorist camps and infrastructure inside Pakistan and in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. It came in response to a terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22 that killed 26 civilians and security personnel.
The military confrontation lasted four days and ended on May 10 after Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations reached out to Indian counterparts requesting a ceasefire. While the situation stabilised, diplomatic fallout continued, with renewed speculation about the role of the United States in brokering peace or facilitating talks.
India, however, has remained firm in its long-standing position against external mediation. In June, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly told US President Donald Trump during a phone call that India does not and will never accept any third-party involvement in its relations with Pakistan.
"PM Modi emphasised that India has never accepted mediation, does not accept it, and will never accept it," India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said in a statement following the 35-minute call.
Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also dismissed reports suggesting any US role in mediating a ceasefire between the two nations. "It's not a secret," he said at the time, reiterating that India's policy remains strictly bilateral when it comes to Pakistan.
While Pakistan appears to be adjusting its diplomatic tone by acknowledging India's position, significant obstacles remain before any formal talks can resume. With cross-border tensions, unresolved issues over Kashmir, and concerns about terrorism still looming large, the possibility of meaningful dialogue soon remains uncertain.
However, US President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed that his intervention helped prevent a potential war between India and Pakistan.