Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has stated that the recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan was achieved solely through direct communication between the two countries' military commanders, without any mediation from the United States. Jaishankar emphasized that U.S. President Donald Trump and Washington played no role in brokering the agreement, though the U.S. did express concern and made calls during the escalation.
The ceasefire followed India's launch of Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in response to a terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians. India incapacitated Pakistan's airbases and air defense systems, leading the Pakistani Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) to request a halt to hostilities. The firing stopped on May 10 after direct DGMO talks.
Jaishankar clarified that Pakistan was informed about Operation Sindoor only 30 minutes after the strikes began, and that the operation targeted only terrorist infrastructure. He dismissed claims that India informed Pakistan in advance, calling such assertions a misrepresentation. Jaishankar also stated that Operation Sindoor is not finished.
Addressing speculation about the risk of nuclear conflict, Jaishankar asserted that India and Pakistan were "very, very far away" from a nuclear escalation. He described India's response as measured and non-escalatory, and criticized narratives that link every regional conflict to nuclear danger, arguing that such narratives encourage terrorism.
Jaishankar noted that many of Pakistan's weapon systems are of Chinese origin, and that China provided limited support to Pakistan during the conflict, while Turkey and Azerbaijan openly backed Pakistan. He reiterated that terrorism in Pakistan is openly supported and organized by the state and military. The status at the border has remained calm since the ceasefire.
In interview with a German newspaper, Jaishankar said India-Pakistan tensions never reached a nuclear level at any point. 'Much more is happening with the nuclear issue in your part of world'.
@Keshav_Paddu reports
#ThePrintForeignAffairs
India and Pakistan were “very far away” from a nuclear conflict during their recent clashes because the Indian side only struck at terrorist targets on Pakistani soil in a measured and non-escalatory manner, EAM S Jaishankar has said.
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