Donald Trump’s ‘mediation’ an ‘attempt to internationalise Kashmir issue’: Opposition parties

STC NEWS MONITORING DESK
NEW DELHI, MAY 12 (STC): Opposition parties, including the Congress, have questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government if it was open to third-party mediation on Kashmir after US President Donald Trump made announcements on behalf of India and Pakistan, says a report.
The opposition parties, soon after the announcement of the US-brokered ceasefire, have been demanding a special session of Parliament to discuss the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor.
Notably, as per reports, at 5.25 pm on 10 May, Trump announced India and Pakistan have agreed to a ‘full and immediate’ ceasefire following a ‘long night of talks’ mediated by the United States. Minutes later, the ceasefire was confirmed by both India’s Ministry of External Affairs and the foreign ministry in Pakistan.
India reacted to the Trump announcement by contradicting his claim and said that the ‘understanding’ between the two nations was reached after talks between Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan.
The reports in cross section of media state that the Congress demanded answers on whether the government had accepted third-party mediation on Kashmir after the US made announcements on behalf of India and Pakistan. Even its
general secretary Jairam Ramesh posed several questions to the government, including if New Delhi had opened the doors to third-party intervention.
“The Indian National Congress reiterates its demand for an all-party meet chaired by the prime minister and for a special session of Parliament for a full discussion on Pahalgam, Operation Sindoor, and the ceasefire announcements made from Washington DC first and then subsequently by the governments of India and Pakistan,” Ramesh said in a post on X.
The opposition slammed attempts like these to “internationalise” the issue and “hyphenate” the two countries. The Congress considers the mention of a “neutral site” by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for dialogue between India and Pakistan raises many questions, Ramesh added.
“Have we abandoned the Simla Agreement? Have we opened the doors to third-party mediation?” he asked.
On Sunday, government sources asserted that India would never accept mediation on the Kashmir issue and the only matter to discuss was Pakistan returning territory under its illegal occupation.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut claimed Trump pressured India to stop its action against Pakistan. “No other president can interfere in our country’s affairs. This is an attack on our sovereignty and it shows the weakness of our government.”
DMK leader TKS Elangovan welcomed the stoppage of military actions. “It’s a welcome measure by both countries… In the 21st century, war is not necessary, people should live in harmony, they should not hate… Why should you fight with each other? Trump had also asked for a ceasefire, it is a good measure.”
RJD Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Kumar Jha asked who gave Trump the mandate to talk about Kashmir.
“The announcement that had to come from our side… But a new ‘sarpanch’, ‘Chaudhary saheb’ (Trump) announced the ceasefire. He talked about Kashmir and its history. Who are you to talk about this when you don’t have the locus standi? It is against the spirit of the Simla accord. The mood of the nation is akin to what it was in 1971, it should remain so,” he said.
The CPI expressed serious concern over reported US involvement in facilitating the agreement between India and Pakistan, even as it welcomed the understanding.
Kashmir is a bilateral issue, and the attempt to internationalise it, I feel, is not proper.
It demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi explain what role the US played and how the American president announced the agreement before the Indian government.
(Inputs from agencies)