The Indian government has firmly rejected claims made by US President Donald Trump that his involvement was crucial in brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan on May 10. According to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, the ceasefire was a decision made independently by New Delhi and Islamabad. He noted that Trump had not coordinated with India or sought permission before making his statements, describing Trump’s actions as an attempt to gain attention during a closed-door briefing to the Parliamentary Standing Committee (PSC) on External Affairs.
During the briefing, members of the PSC, led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, sought clarity on Trump’s remarks made on X, where he suggested his help in securing the ceasefire. Misri clarified that no strikes were executed on Pakistan’s nuclear infrastructure during Operation Sindoor, emphasizing that there was also no nuclear signaling from Pakistan amid the recent military standoff. The operation was strictly conventional, and there were no threats or nuclear posturing from Pakistan.
This briefing came in the wake of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following a terror attack in Pahalgam, which prompted India’s retaliatory Operation Sindoor, targeting terrorist infrastructures along the Line of Control. Misri addressed inquiries regarding any potential aircraft losses for India during the operation, stating that such details fall under operational secrecy. Concerns were also raised about statements made by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, which some interpreted as conflicting with the government’s military stance. Misri clarified that Jaishankar’s comments were specific to the operation’s initial phase, when strikes targeted nine terror camps on the night of May 6-7, and that Pakistan was notified about these strikes retrospectively.
Sources revealed that the committee unanimously condemned remarks targeting Foreign Secretary Misri and extended their full support for him, commending his adept handling of a sensitive situation. The committee was also informed that communication lines between Indian and Pakistani military leadership, especially at the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) level, remained active throughout the crisis. These channels were pivotal in preventing further escalation following the military strikes.
In related news, the Indian Army highlighted its successful defense efforts during Operation Sindoor, demonstrating how various air defense systems, including the Akash missile system, thwarted missile and drone attacks aimed at the sacred Golden Temple in Amritsar and other Punjab cities. Major General Kartik C. Seshadri, the General Officer Commanding of the 15th Infantry Division, reported that Pakistan attempted to target the Golden Temple with drones and missiles on the night of May 7-8, as a retaliation against India’s strikes on multiple terrorist locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2025/05/20/govt-tells-parl-panel-trump-didnt-broker-ceasefire-deal/
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Publish Date: 2025-05-20 02:16:00
