Not Only US, Other Countries Also Contacted During Indo-Pak Conflict : Jaishankar
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar on Thursday firmly asserted that the ceasefire understanding between India and Pakistan, following the tense military standoff earlier this month, was a direct result of bilateral engagement between the two nations. Contrary to repeated claims by U.S. President Donald Trump, Jaishankar emphasized that it was Pakistan that made the “first move” towards de-escalation, and India responded only after clear communication from the Pakistani military leadership.
In an interview with Dutch broadcaster NOS, Jaishankar provided clarity on the timeline and diplomatic exchanges that led to the cessation of hostilities. His remarks come amid mounting political pressure at home and abroad after President Trump stated multiple times that the United States played a pivotal role in halting the military confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
“There were many countries who reached out between May 7 and May 10 following Operation Sindoor,” Jaishankar said, referring to India’s recent military operation targeting key Pakistani military installations. “It’s natural in such situations for other nations to open communication lines with countries in conflict. But the ceasefire decision was not mediated. It was bilateral.”
He further elaborated that top-level communications from the U.S. did take place during that period. “U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke to me, and Vice President JD Vance also had a conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he confirmed. “But our message to everyone, including the United States, was unequivocal: if Pakistan wants a ceasefire, they should speak to us directly.”
According to the EAM, New Delhi conveyed to international interlocutors that it would only consider halting military operations if Pakistan’s military made the request directly to Indian military leadership. “We said clearly: if Pakistan wants to stop firing, their general must call our general. That’s how it happened,” he stated.
This assertion aligns with the Indian government’s long-standing policy of keeping third-party mediation out of its bilateral disputes with Pakistan, particularly those related to border security and terrorism.
Background: Operation Sindoor and Rising Tensions
The backdrop to this development was Operation Sindoor, launched by India on May 7 in response to escalated cross-border aggression and intelligence pointing to imminent terror threats emanating from Pakistan-controlled territory. The operation saw targeted airstrikes and artillery shelling across the Line of Control (LoC), reportedly damaging several Pakistani military installations and airbases.
As tensions soared, the international community, including the United Nations, the European Union, and various influential nations, urged both sides to exercise restraint. It was in this climate that President Trump claimed the U.S. had played a decisive role in de-escalating the situation.
Speaking at the Oval Office during a meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Trump said, “If you take a look at what we just did with Pakistan and India—we settled that whole issue, and I think I settled it through trade.” This was the eighth time the U.S. President has publicly claimed credit for brokering the ceasefire.
On May 10, shortly after the ceasefire was announced, Trump had also said that India and Pakistan had “agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire after a long night of talks mediated by Washington.”
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Opposition Demands Clarity
The Indian opposition has seized on these repeated assertions, questioning the Modi government’s silence. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera posted a video clip of Trump on X (formerly Twitter), demanding an official response. “This is the eighth time President Trump has claimed that he got Operation Sindoor ‘stopped.’ He says he used trade pressure to influence India. Why is Prime Minister Modi silent? What does this silence mean?” Khera asked.
The opposition has called for a detailed parliamentary statement from the Prime Minister or the External Affairs Ministry to refute Trump’s version of events and clarify the nature of the ceasefire agreement.
Diplomatic Messaging and National Stance
By reaffirming that the ceasefire resulted from Pakistan’s direct outreach and not international mediation, Jaishankar’s statement reinforces India’s stance on strategic autonomy and bilateralism in foreign policy. His remarks also aim to reassure domestic audiences amid growing political scrutiny and to assert India’s agency in managing its regional security concerns.
While global powers may have played a role in facilitating dialogue or urging restraint, the message from New Delhi remains clear: the ceasefire was not an externally brokered deal but the outcome of India’s firm military posture and its insistence on direct engagement with Pakistan.
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