Did Many Countries Help Achieve the India-Pak Ceasefire? Jaishankar Responds

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Ceasefire was a direct negotiation between India and Pakistan.
- Trump's claims of mediation have been contested.
- Other nations also involved in communications during the conflict.
- The Indian government emphasized direct contact for ceasefire.
- Opposition remains skeptical of the government's narrative.
New Delhi, May 22 (NationPress) External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized that the halt in hostilities and military operations was directly negotiated between India and Pakistan, with the ceasefire agreement initiated by the adversary nation making the first move.
Jaishankar's comments come in response to US President Donald Trump's repeated assertions that his administration facilitated the ceasefire between the two nuclear powers following extensive discussions.
In an interview with NOS, a Dutch news outlet, he clarified that it wasn't just the United States that intervened; numerous other nations also reached out during the period from May 7 to May 10 amid Operation Sindoor.
He remarked that it is typical for various countries to establish communication channels with nations embroiled in military disputes.
According to Jaishankar, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio contacted him, while US Vice President JD Vance communicated with PM Modi.
Explaining the ceasefire process, he noted that the Indian government clearly communicated that if Pakistan wished to cease hostilities, their general needed to reach out to India’s general, which ultimately occurred.
He reiterated that India communicated to all nations, including the United States, that if Pakistan desired a ceasefire, direct communication with India was essential.
Jaishankar's remarks reaffirm the government's position that the ceasefire agreement was a result of Pakistan's urgent attempts to halt hostilities following Indian forces' strikes on its air bases.
Nonetheless, the opposition remains skeptical, demanding clarification on Trump's persistent claims regarding the ceasefire and questioning why PM Modi has not publicly countered these assertions.
This morning, Congress media head Pawan Khera released a video of Trump, highlighting that this marks the eighth time Trump has claimed responsibility for halting Operation Sindoor.
Khera commented, "He asserts he used trade to persuade India to pause Operation Sindoor. Why has Prime Minister Modi never disputed this claim? What does this silence suggest?"
During a meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Oval Office last night, Trump remarked, "If you look at what we accomplished with Pakistan and India, I believe I resolved it through trade."
On May 10, when the ceasefire was confirmed, Trump claimed that India and Pakistan had agreed to a complete and immediate ceasefire after extensive negotiations facilitated by Washington.