MEA rejects third-party mediation on Kashmir

New Delhi, Sep 26: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday reiterated New Delhi’s position on Jammu and Kashmir, saying the issue is strictly bilateral between India and Pakistan and does not require third-party intervention.
The clarification came after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan referred to Kashmir during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
In his address at UNGA, Erdogan said Turkey welcomed the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan and called for resolving the Kashmir matter “on the basis of UN resolutions” through dialogue. India rejected these remarks as interference in its internal affairs.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, said India’s stance on Kashmir remains unchanged. “Our stand on the Kashmir issue is very clear; there has been no change in it. As far as mediation is concerned, there is no need for any third party to mediate on the bilateral issues between India and Pakistan,” he said.
“We reject such objectionable comments on matters that are internal to India. We have lodged a strong protest with the Turkish ambassador. Such statements on India’s territorial integrity and sovereignty are unacceptable,” he added.
Jaiswal said the main problem in Jammu and Kashmir stems from Pakistan’s actions. “It would have been appropriate if Pakistan’s policy of using cross-border terrorism against India, which remains the biggest threat to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, had been addressed,” he said.
The MEA further said that over 2,400 Indian citizens have been sent back from the United States since January. Jaiswal said India does not support unauthorised migration while encouraging lawful movement abroad. He explained that when individuals lacking proper legal status in foreign countries are referred to Indian authorities, their nationality is verified before arrangements are made for their return.
“We verify the citizenship of any person without legal status and facilitate their repatriation once confirmed. This process has been applied in cases involving Indian nationals in the US,” Jaiswal said.
The MEA spokesperson added that authorities are coordinating with state governments to tackle visa fraud and other irregularities connected to unlawful migration.
“Strengthening legal pathways while checking illegal migration is part of the government’s approach,” Jaiswal said, adding that these steps help safeguard the credibility of lawful international mobility for Indian citizens. (KNO)