Congress Seeks Clarity from Centre on Possible Third-Party Role in Kashmir Talks

Congress party has asked the Prime Minister of India to urgently convene Parliament to discuss these issues

Amid rising international chatter, the Congress party has called upon the central government to break its silence regarding potential third-party mediation in the Kashmir issue — a move that could potentially contravene the long-standing Simla Agreement.

At a political event in Thiruvananthapuram, AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal raised concerns over recent remarks made by U.S. President Donald Trump, who has claimed to be involved in the ongoing Indo-Pak discussions. Venugopal emphasized that the people of India deserve a clear and official statement from the Centre on whether there has been any deviation in foreign policy concerning Kashmir.

“President Trump continues to assert that he has intervened in the Kashmir dispute. If these claims are true, then we must ask — has the government departed from the principles of the Simla Agreement, which strictly opposes any external involvement in bilateral matters between India and Pakistan?” Venugopal questioned.

The Congress leader urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to immediately convene a special session of Parliament to discuss these developments, stating that the issue is too critical to be left unaddressed.

“This isn’t about pointing fingers or playing blame games. This is about accountability and clarity on a matter of national importance,” Venugopal stressed.

The call for transparency comes in the wake of recent Indo-Pak hostilities and a subsequent ceasefire deal reached on May 10, following four days of military confrontation involving drones and missile strikes. The escalation was sparked by the deadly April 22 Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 lives.

Despite a formal agreement to cease hostilities, Pakistan violated the truce shortly after its announcement, triggering further outrage.

Venugopal reaffirmed Congress’s unwavering support for the Indian Armed Forces and the government’s anti-terror operations, stating, “This is a moment of unity. The Congress party, along with the INDIA bloc and the broader opposition, stands firmly with the government in the battle against terrorism.”

He also reflected on the legacy of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who had steadfastly rejected international mediation in Kashmir, a sentiment that now resonates with the current discourse.

“We must revisit that legacy and ensure we aren’t surrendering our sovereignty by inviting or entertaining foreign voices in our internal matters,” Venugopal concluded.

The Congress has demanded that Parliament examine the situation in detail, determine if any diplomatic missteps occurred, and make certain they are not repeated.