New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has firmly dismissed former US President Donald Trump’s repeated claims of mediating between India and Pakistan, asserting that the recent cessation of hostilities was entirely the result of a bilateral understanding between New Delhi and Islamabad.
In an interview with Dutch broadcaster NOS, Mr. Jaishankar said the ceasefire that followed Operation Sindoor—India’s military response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir—was negotiated directly with Pakistan, without any foreign mediation.
“The US was in the United States,” Jaishankar said pointedly, underlining that while the United States and others had expressed concern and reached out, they played no role in the ceasefire decision. “Their general had to call our general—and that is what happened,” he added, referring to hotline communication initiated by the Pakistani military on May 10.
The April 22 attack, which claimed 26 lives, triggered a swift and decisive Indian military operation targeting nine terror-linked locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. According to the Indian government, over 100 terrorists linked to groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen were neutralized.
Mr. Jaishankar said Operation Sindoor remains active in principle, serving as a strategic deterrent, but clarified that this does not mean continued combat. “There is currently an agreed cessation of hostilities. The operation is dormant,” he explained.
While confirming that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance had contacted Indian leaders, he emphasized that their outreach was limited to expressing concern. “We told everyone—including the US—that if Pakistan wanted a ceasefire, they had to tell us directly,” Jaishankar reiterated.
Responding to Donald Trump’s claim that he had helped mediate what he called a “thousand-year conflict,” Jaishankar was unequivocal: “This is something between us and the Pakistanis. We propose to deal with it bilaterally.”
The External Affairs Minister also provided historical context, pointing out Pakistan’s consistent use of proxy forces since independence. “In 1947-48, Pakistan denied involvement while sending in irregulars. It turned out they were Pakistani troops, some in uniform, some not,” he noted.
On Kashmir, Jaishankar was clear: “Kashmir is an integral part of India. No country negotiates its territory.” He reiterated India’s stance that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir has been under illegal occupation since 1947-48 and emphasized that India is open to talks only on when Pakistan plans to vacate it.
“There is nothing to discuss about the Line of Control or governance in Jammu and Kashmir. We are open to a serious bilateral dialogue, but not one that compromises our sovereignty,” he concluded.
The interview reinforces India’s long-held position that issues with Pakistan must be resolved bilaterally, without foreign intervention, and on terms that uphold national security and territorial integrity.
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