Another Slap to Trump’s Mediation Claims: Pakistan Denies Seeking Third-Party Talks with India

Islamabad, August 2025 – In a clear rebuttal to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s past claims and opposition propaganda, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, has categorically stated that Islamabad never requested any third-party intervention to arrange talks with India.

Pakistan’s Firm Position

Dar clarified that Pakistan has not approached Washington or any other country to mediate dialogue. He said while some international players had shown willingness to facilitate talks, these proposals came from them, not from Pakistan. He reiterated that Pakistan is ready for engagement, but only on a comprehensive agenda that covers all disputes, especially Jammu and Kashmir.

A Blow to Trump and Congress Narratives

This statement comes as a direct slap to Trump’s earlier assertions during his presidency, when he repeatedly claimed that both India and Pakistan had asked him to mediate. New Delhi firmly denied it at the time, and now Islamabad’s latest clarification once again undercuts that narrative.

Pakistan’s position also counters Congress party propaganda in India, which had echoed Trump’s claims for political point-scoring. Dar’s remarks reinforce that Islamabad is not seeking external involvement in bilateral matters.

India and Pakistan: Stalemate Continues

India maintains that any talks must be restricted to terrorism and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). Pakistan, on the other hand, insists that dialogue cannot move forward without addressing Kashmir, water-sharing disputes, trade, and other bilateral issues under a broader composite framework.

Ceasefire Still Holding

Dar recalled that the ceasefire agreement along the Line of Control (LoC), reaffirmed in May, continues to hold. He noted that it was India that turned to Washington to help stabilize the ceasefire, while Pakistan’s position remained unchanged: Islamabad never desired war but will defend itself if provoked.

Bilateralism Reasserted

By rejecting the idea of mediation, Pakistan has effectively reinforced the long-standing principle of the Simla Agreement (1972), which states that all disputes must be resolved bilaterally. While Islamabad remains open to talks, the deep mistrust between the two countries keeps the process at a stalemate.

Dar’s categorical denial delivers another diplomatic slap to Trump’s past claims of mediation and exposes the weakness of propaganda narratives that suggested otherwise. With both India and Pakistan standing firm on opposing preconditions, the chances of meaningful dialogue remain slim—leaving the ceasefire as the only fragile bridge preventing escalation.