“Can’t be forced”: US based analyst reinstates India’s stance on external mediation Kashmir

May 17, 2025

Washington DC (USA), May 17, 2025 (ANI): On US offering to mediate on the Kashmir issue, Research Fellow & Director India Initiative at Hudson Institute, Aparna Pande said, "... India right from the beginning stated very clearly it has no desire to escalate. All India was doing was striking against the terror camps. It had no desire to go for a long-term war with Pakistan... All India wanted to do was send a message to the terror infrastructure and those who support those terror groups that India will respond if there is a terror attack... If a country like the United States, with which India has a strong strategic partnership, can convince Pakistan not to escalate... then India would be fine with that. The challenge is that India has a different view from the United States... India does not accept mediation. If India seeks to resume talks with Pakistan, it will be India offering talks to Pakistan... India would be fine with having a conversation with Pakistan, but not forced by an external mediator. India is saying they never wanted escalation...but any talks between Pakistan will be based on what India will put on the agenda. It will not be by some other country or organisation..."