External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has clarified that the understanding reached between India and Pakistan on the cessation of hostilities was the result of direct negotiations between the two nations, rejecting claims by former U.S. President Donald Trump that Washington played a key role in brokering the ceasefire. Jaishankar’s remarks come in the wake of an earlier statement by Trump, who had repeatedly claimed credit for facilitating the truce between the two countries.
Jaishankar, who was in The Hague as part of his three-nation tour to the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany, emphasized that the cessation of firing and military actions—both on land, air, and sea—was a decision negotiated directly between India and Pakistan. He made it clear that while various international stakeholders, including the U.S., expressed concern over the situation, the final arrangement was made between the two countries involved in the conflict.
The minister explained that, following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, India had initiated Operation Sindoor, which involved precision strikes against terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan. The operation was a direct response to the attack, which left several Indian civilians dead. Jaishankar remarked that India’s response was unequivocal: “If there are acts like the one we saw in Pahalgam, there will be a response. If the terrorists are in Pakistan, we will hit them where they are.” He further stated that the continuation of the operation was a message that India would continue to act decisively against terrorism.
Jaishankar described the Pahalgam attack as “barbaric,” noting that the terrorists had targeted and murdered innocent civilians in front of their families after confirming their faith in an effort to stir religious discord. He underscored that India had to respond to such acts of terror, as a lack of response was not an option. The operation, which began with the May 7 strikes, was followed by attempts by Pakistan to attack Indian military bases, which were repelled by the Indian military.
By May 10, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced that India and Pakistan had reached an understanding to halt all military actions. This was seen as a step towards de-escalating tensions in the region. Jaishankar emphasized that the cessation of hostilities was a direct result of dialogue between the two countries, noting that Pakistan’s military had directly communicated with India’s military to formalize the truce.
Despite Trump’s claims, Jaishankar made it clear that the U.S. or any other nation did not broker the ceasefire but had simply expressed concerns, like many other countries, about the escalating situation. “If the Pakistanis want to stop fighting, they need to tell us. We need to hear it from them,” Jaishankar said, adding that it was the Pakistani General who contacted India’s General to confirm the cessation of hostilities.
On the broader issue of India-Pakistan relations, Jaishankar reiterated India’s willingness to engage in dialogue with Pakistan, particularly over the return of the part of Kashmir illegally occupied by Pakistan and the ongoing threat of terrorism emanating from across the border. He highlighted that such discussions could only take place once Pakistan demonstrated its commitment to combating terrorism.
In a separate comment on security and economic growth, Jaishankar noted that India’s security challenges, particularly along its borders with China and Pakistan, were more severe than those faced by European nations. He stressed that economic growth and security are two sides of the same coin, pointing out that India’s priority has always been to ensure national security, which is integral to its prosperity. “You don’t choose between security and economic prosperity,” Jaishankar said, implying that nations must balance both aspects for long-term development.
India’s proactive stance on national security, combined with its strong response to cross-border terrorism, remains a focal point of its foreign policy. The country continues to push for peace and stability in the region, while maintaining a firm position against terrorism and ensuring that its sovereignty and territorial integrity remain intact.
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