India has declined U.S. President Trump’s offer to mediate in the India-China border dispute, reiterating its commitment to bilateral negotiations. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri clarified India’s stance while addressing topics such as potential acquisitions of fighter jets and trade relations after Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the U.S.
In a recent development, India reiterated its commitment to a bilateral resolution of border disputes with China after U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his willingness to mediate. This comment came during a joint press conference following talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House, where Trump referred to the ongoing border skirmishes as “quite violent” and offered U.S. assistance in resolving the issue.
Immediately after Trump’s proposition, Indian officials, including Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, clarified that India’s approach has always been to handle disputes through direct negotiations rather than third-party mediation. This has been a consistent stance from India, as they previously declined similar offers from Trump regarding India-China and India-Pakistan relations.
President Trump is positioning his administration as a mediator in global conflicts, aiming particularly to resolve disputes such as Russia-Ukraine tensions and conflicts in the Middle East. In addition, Foreign Secretary Misri addressed discussions surrounding the potential acquisition of advanced F-35 stealth fighter jets from the U.S., indicating that this remains merely a proposal at this stage with no formal negotiations initiated.
As trade relations were also a topic of discussion, Mr. Misri reported that both leaders examined tariff policies, noting President Trump’s recent reciprocal tariffs affecting global trade. The Foreign Secretary expressed optimism over pursuing a bilateral trade agreement, which was previously in progress during Trump’s prior administration but was not finalized. He indicated that the next few months would be crucial for restarting these discussions with a goal set for completion by the fall of 2025.
In summary, while President Trump’s offer to mediate between India and China was firmly declined by India, discussions between the two nations on trade and defense continue to advance. The focus will remain on fostering direct bilateral relations without external intervention while exploring opportunities for enhanced trade agreements and potential defense collaborations moving forward.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
