Daily Times

India has rejected United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ offer to mediate Kashmir dispute, The Hindu reported.

In a statement issued late Sunday, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson asserted that the dispute would be discussed bilaterally. “There is no role or scope for third party mediation.”

The UN chief, who is on a visit to Pakistan, said he was ready to help if both countries agreed for mediation.

“India’s position has not changed. Jammu and Kashmir has been, is, and will continue to be an integral part of India. The issue that needs to be addressed is that of vacation of the territories illegally and forcibly occupied by Pakistan,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.

Kumar  noted that, “further issues, if any, would be discussed bilaterally. There is no role or scope for third party mediation,” adding that India requests the UN Secretary General to ask Pakistan to take action against the spread of terror.

This is not the first time India has rejected an offer for mediation on the Kashmir dispute.

In July last year, US President Donald Trump had expressed his willingness to mediate between India and Pakistan to resolve the 70-year-old Kashmir dispute — an offer he has repeated but has been rejected by India.

Last week, India took exception to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s unequivocal support for the people of Indian occupied Kashmir (IoK) and told Turkey to “not interfere in India’s internal affairs.”

The order revoked Article 370 of India’s constitution, which gave the state of Jammu and Kashmir its own constitution and decision-making rights for all matters except for defense, communications and foreign affairs.

Pakistan reacted angrily to the move and even downgraded its diplomatic ties with India by expelling the Indian High Commissioner.

Islamabad also unsuccessfully tried to rally international support against India on the issue.