Govt emphasises on direct discussion between India-Pak to cease Op Sindoor

  The government has emphasized that the discussion to cease military action took place directly between India and Pakistan during the Operation Sindoor. In a written reply in the Lok Sabha today, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said, the discussion was held between the two armed forces of India and Pakistan through the existing channel of communication. He stressed that the request for ceasefire was initiated by the Pakistani side. On the query of third party mediation, the Minister said, India has made it clear to all nations including the US President that any outstanding issues with Pakistan will be discussed only bilaterally. On the proposal of F-35 fighter jet sale by the US, the Minister clarified that no formal discussions have been held as yet on this issue. He said, the India-US Joint Statement following the meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with US President Donald Trump on 13th February of this year, mentions that the US will undertake a review of its policy on releasing fifth generation fighters F-35 and undersea systems to India.