India rejects US mediation claim
\nIndian FM once again rejects US claims of playing mediating role in recent India-Pakistan confrontation
\n New Delhi
\nIndia\u2019s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar lashed out at US President Donald Trump\u2019s unconventional style of diplomacy, describing it as a break from established international practice.
\nHe also once again dismissed Washington\u2019s assertion that it played a mediating role in the recent India-Pakistan confrontation.
\nAddressing a press gathering in New Delhi, Jaishankar remarked that no previous US president had conducted diplomacy in such a public manner, saying Trump\u2019s approach marked a sharp departure from traditional, behind-the-scenes foreign policy.
\nHis remarks come as the deadline looms for Trump\u2019s additional tariffs on Indian goods, which could see duties rise to as much as 50%, with further penalties linked to India\u2019s continued imports of Russian oil.
\nOn trade, Jaishankar said that India\u2019s farmers and small producers would remain non-negotiable priorities, claiming: \u201cWhen it comes to trade, the interests of farmers, when it comes to our strategic autonomy, when it comes to opposition to mediation, this government is very clear. Our positions are there. If anybody disagrees with us, please tell the people of India that you are not prepared to defend the interests of farmers. Please tell the people of India you don\u2019t value strategic autonomy\u201d.
\nJaishankar dismissed criticism from Washington that India was \u201cprofiteering\u201d by refining and re-exporting Russian oil, saying, \u201cIt\u2019s funny to have people who work for a pro-business American administration accusing others of doing business\u201d.
\nHe added: \u201cIf you have a problem buying oil or refined products from India, don\u2019t buy it. Nobody forces you to buy it. Europe buys, America buys, so you don\u2019t like it, don\u2019t buy it\u201d.
\nThe minister also rejected Trump\u2019s statements that Washington had mediated the ceasefire that ended the four-day India-Pakistan conflict earlier this year.
\n\u201cOn the issue of mediating (India-Pak conflict), since 1970s, for more than 50 years now, there\u2019s a national consensus in this country that we do not accept mediation in our relations with Pakistan\u201d, claimed the Indian foreign minister. Clarifying the role of external players during the skirmish, Jaishankar acknowledged that international outreach was routine but not determinative.
\n\u201cPhone calls were made by the US, phone calls were made by other countries as well. This is not a secret. At least in my case, every American phone call I had is there on my \u2018X\u2019 account\u2026 It is quite different to assert a mediation or to assert that an outcome which was negotiated between India and Pakistan was not negotiated between India and Pakistan; it was…\u201d.
\nJaishankar further underlined that while \u201ctrade is really the major issue between our countries,\u201d negotiations with Washington are still ongoing despite the cancellation of a planned US delegation visit in August.
\nAt the same time, Jaishankar pushed back against speculation that India\u2019s engagement with China was linked to friction with the US, calling such views simplistic. He also took aim at Washington\u2019s historical ties with Islamabad, saying: \u201cThey have a history with each other, and they have a history of overlooking that history\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
India rejects US mediation claim Indian FM once again rejects US claims of playing mediating role in recent India-Pakistan confrontation New Delhi India\u2019s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar lashed out at US President Donald Trump\u2019s unconventional style of diplomacy, describing it as a break from established international practice. He also once again dismissed Washington\u2019s assertion […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":498816,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-498793","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n