Kashmir issue a bilateral matter between India and Pakistan, no change in policy: MEA on Trump’s comment

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal

Days after United States President Donald Trump said that he would work with both India and Pakistan to find a solution “concerning Kashmir”, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that India’s position on the union territory stands firm – all related issued must be settled bilaterally with Pakistan, and this remains unchanged.

“We have a long-standing national position that any issues pertaining to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir have to be addressed by India and Pakistan bilaterally. That stated policy has not changed. As you are aware, the outstanding matter is the vacation of illegally occupied Indian territory by Pakistan,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a briefing.

Jaiswal was also responding to question over Trump’s claim that the United States had mediated a ceasefire between India and Pakistan—an assertion India refuted. “The specific date, time and wording of the understanding was worked out between the DGMOs of the two countries at their phone call on May 10, 2025. The request for this call was received by the MEA from the Pakistani High Commission at 1237 hrs. The Pakistani side had initial difficulties connecting the hotline to the Indian side for technical reasons," he added.

“You will of course appreciate that early on 10th morning, we had mounted an extremely effective attack on key Pakistani Air Force bases. That was the reason they were now willing to stop firing and military action. Let me be clear. It was of force of Indian arms that compelled Pakistan to stop its firing."

Earlier in a post on his Truth Social, Trump praised the leaderships of India and Pakistan for their “ceasefire” decision. “I am very proud of the strong and unwaveringly powerful leadership of India and Pakistan for having the strength, wisdom, and fortitude to fully know and understand that it was time to stop the current aggression that could have led to the death and destruction of so many, and so much,” Trump said.

“Millions of good and innocent people could have died! Your legacy is greatly enhanced by your brave actions. I am proud that the USA was able to help you arrive at this historic and heroic decision. While not even discussed, I am going to increase trade, substantially, with both of these great Nations. Additionally, I will work with you both to see if, after a “thousand years,” a solution can be arrived at concerning Kashmir,” he added.