'Vacate illegally occupied territory', India's stern message to Pak on PoK

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the only issue India has with Islamabad regarding Kashmir is the return of illegally-occupied territories to India by Pakistan

The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Tuesday said India has a long-standing position that any issues pertaining to the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir has to be addressed by India and Pakistan bilaterally. That stated policy has not changed.

 

“As you are aware, the outstanding matter is the vacation of illegally occupied Indian territory by Pakistan,” he said.

 

Speaking at the weekly media briefing in New Delhi, Jaiswal said, “Only issue with Islamabad on Kashmir is the return of illegally-occupied territories to India by Pakistan.”

 

Responding to questions about India’s stand on the latest pause in military escalation with Pakistan, Jaiswal said the request for ceasefire and bilateral discussions was received by the Ministry of External Affairs from Pakistan. “Operation Sindoor on terrorist sites was a response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack. Our position is, if Pakistani forces attack, India will respond. If they stop, we will also stop. This was the message shared to Pakistan’s DGMO as well… There is a new normal now and the sooner Pakistan gets it, the more the better,” Jaiswal said.

 

 

Weekly Media Briefing by the Official Spokesperson (May 13, 2025)  https://t.co/FilV9GzB9c

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) May 13, 2025

 

Did not talk trade with US

Speaking about US President Donald Trump’s remark about trade playing a role in stopping hostilities between the two nations, Jaiswal said, “From the time of Operation Sindoor, there were conversations between Indian and US leaders on the evolving military situation. The issue of trade did not come up in these conversations.”

 

Further talking about Trump's comments about nuclear war between India and Pakistan, Jaiswal said that India's military action was entirely in conventional domain. "There were some reports that Pakistan's National Command Authority will meet on May 10. But this was later denied by them. Pakistan foreign minister has himself denied the nuclear angle on record," he said.

 

"As you know, India has a firm stance that it will not give in to nuclear blackmail or allow cross-border terrorism to be conducted invoking it," he added.

 

IWT to remain in abeyance

As for the status of the Indus Waters Treaty after the ceasefire, MEA said that India will keep the treaty in abeyance until Pakistan abjures its support for cross-border terrorism. Also note that climate change, demographic shifts, and technological changes have also created new ground realities as well.

 

In talks with UNSC about TRF

Talking about The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaiswal said, "We have had several rounds of briefings and in these briefings we have also shared with you the kind of linkage we see between the perpetrators of the attack of Pahalgam in particular, The Resistance Front (TRF). Foreign Secretary, in his statement, also made very clear the kind of evidence that we see, and an investigation is going on in this particular matter."

 

TRF is the same organisation which initially claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack, but later withdrew its statement.

 

He further added that India has been sharing information with the United Nations Security Council and the monitoring team of the Sanctions Committee regarding the TRF should be listed as a terrorist organisation.

 

"We will also in a few days time share more details in this regard. Hopefully Security Council 1267 monitoring team will take strong note of what we present, what we file and take due action against what is required..." Jaiswal said.