India doesn't need mediation by Trump or anyone else on Kashmir asserts Athawale

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar/Jalna, May 15 (PTI) Union minister Ramdas Athawale on Thursday asserted that India does not need mediation from US President Donald Trump or anyone else on the Kashmir issue, and said the country will have to use force, if necessary, to reclaim Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
He also said that India will have to fight more wars to reclaim the PoK if Pakistan does not hand it over peacefully.
Addressing a press conference in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, the Union Minister of State for Social Justice hailed India's 'Operation Sindoor', saying the Army has taught Pakistan a lesson.
"India has hit Pakistan hard. The ceasefire is for a few days now. But our army has taught (Pakistan) a lesson and we have killed over a 100 terrorists in Pakistan. It is not the case that the operation has stopped after the mediation of US President Donald Trump. India has put forth a proposal that Pakistan should hand over the PoK (to India) and stop terror activities," he said.
"India should take PoK. If it can be achieved through peaceful means, that is better. But we must be ready to take it back forcefully if required," said Athawale.
No third party has the right to compromise on the issue and India's stand is that a bullet will be answered by a bullet, he said.
"I have told earlier in Parliament also that the PoK should be part of India. If Pakistan does not hand it over, we will have to fight more wars to get it back," he said.
Athawale urged the opposition parties not play politics over the issue by demanding the proof of action against Pakistan
Talking to reporters in Jalna later, he accused Pakistan of promoting terrorism.
"Many times, India has faced terrorist attacks and the Pakistan Army and Pakistan government are responsible for it. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken a stand that there should be no compromise on terrorism," he said.
"We don't want any mediation from Donald Trump or anybody else on this issue. India is ready for talks with Pakistan directly if terrorism stops. If PoK is handed over to us, then there is no (need of a) war," the minister said.
Last week, India launched 'Operation Sindoor' and hit terror hideouts in Pakistan and PoK after 26 people were killed in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22.
India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to end the conflict after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes.
Trump had claimed that his administration stopped a "nuclear conflict" between India and Pakistan, telling the south Asian neighbours that America would do a "lot of trade" with them if they ended hostilities.
Indian government sources in New Delhi have maintained the directors general of military operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan reached an understanding to stop all firings and military actions on land, air and sea and that no third party was involved.
Trump had announced India and Pakistan agreed to a "full and immediate ceasefire" and claimed that it happened after a long night of talks "mediated by the United States".
Later, in a post on Truth Social, he offered to work with India and Pakistan for a "solution" on Kashmir while crediting Washington for helping the two nations arrive at the "historic and heroic decision" of stopping the conflict.
India maintains the Kashmir issue to be a bilateral matter and that there is no space for any third party.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)