Dar, however, appeared to contradict this position when referring to Pakistan’s request for a ceasefire during the India–Pakistan conflict following India’s Operation Sindoor, launched in the early hours of May 7.
“Incidentally, when the ceasefire offer came through Secretary Rubio on May 10 around 8:17 am, I was told that very soon there would be a dialogue between Pakistan and India at an independent venue,” the Pakistani diplomat said during the interview aired on September 15.He added: “When we met on July 25 in Washington during a bilateral meeting with Secretary Rubio, I asked him what happened to those dialogues. He said, ‘India says it is a bilateral issue.’ We don’t. So, we are not begging for anything. If any country wants dialogue, we are happy and welcome…”
The remarks highlight the evolving U.S. stance on India–Pakistan relations. U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed credit for mediating the ceasefire to halt military escalation using trade leverage—a claim Dar also supported in this interview. The shift in tone appears aimed at strengthening Washington’s bilateral ties with New Delhi.
Trump’s mediation claims, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s firm denial of “foreign involvement,” and Trump’s criticism of India’s purchase of Russian oil—arguing it funds Moscow’s war in Ukraine—have complicated Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) talks between India and the U.S.
Although negotiations have since resumed—with U.S. trade representative Brendan Lynch in New Delhi on September 16, and both Trump and Modi exchanging warm public messages—India’s dependence on the U.S. appears somewhat strained.Pakistan is a victim of terrorism, says Dar
Dar also claimed Pakistan is itself a “victim” of terrorism, despite the country’s long-standing record of fostering and sheltering militant groups.
A recent example was the Pahalgam terror attack of April 22 in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baisaran Valley, which killed 26 people. Operation Sindoor was India’s “strategic and measured” response to the attack.
Dar further suggested that India was involved in growing unrest in Balochistan. While declining to name India directly, he said evidence had been shared with international agencies.
“We are the biggest victim of terrorism. We have suffered the most, yet fingers are pointed at Pakistan,” he said.
On India’s side, the stance remains unchanged: talks with Pakistan will only address terrorism, and only after Islamabad takes credible steps to curb it. As Prime Minister Modi has repeatedly stated, “blood and water will not flow together.”
Readers can watch the complete video of Dar’s interview with Al Jazeera here.
