No foreign mediation in ceasefire with Pakistan, says Jaishankar in Rajya Sabha

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday firmly stated in the Rajya Sabha that no external power was involved in brokering the ceasefire with Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. He dismissed suggestions of mediation and refuted US President Donald Trump’s assertion linking the ceasefire to trade negotiations.

Participating in a special discussion on Operation Sindoor, Jaishankar clarified that there were no calls between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trump from April 22, the day of the Pahalgam terror attack, till June 16.

He criticised the Opposition for echoing Trump’s claims of alleged pressure tactics over trade to stop hostilities, asserting that India’s decisions were solely its own. Reiterating India’s firm stance on cross-border terrorism, Jaishankar said the country responded decisively through Operation Sindoor and would continue to retaliate in a similar manner.

Describing the Pahalgam attack as “absolutely unacceptable,” the Minister said it marked a serious escalation. “A red line was crossed by Pakistan, and there had to be accountability and justice,” he stressed.

Explaining the rationale behind the decision to suspend the Indus Water Treaty, Jaishankar said, “Blood and water will not flow together.” He criticised the original treaty signed by Jawaharlal Nehru, calling it an act of appeasement rather than a peace move. The Modi government, he said, has righted that historical wrong.

He credited the current administration for putting terrorism at the centre of the global discourse. India, he pointed out, exerted substantial pressure on Pakistan via the FATF mechanism. Even without being on the UN Security Council, India managed to secure global recognition of The Resistance Front (TRF) as a LeT proxy.

The TRF had claimed responsibility for the April 22 terror strike in Pahalgam, where militants killed people in front of their families after verifying their religion. Jaishankar described the incident as deeply disturbing, not only because of its brutality but also due to its apparent intent to derail the economic progress in Jammu and Kashmir post the abrogation of Article 370.

“There had to be severe consequences,” he said. “There had to be accountability of the perpetrators, and they and their supporters had to be brought to justice.” He informed the House that on May 9, US Vice President J D Vance had warned PM Modi about Pakistan’s plans for a major strike. Modi’s reply, Jaishankar said, was clear: India would deliver an appropriate response.

When Pakistan carried out its attack, India retaliated with full force, he said, noting that the country also made it clear it would not entertain any mediation or be cowed by nuclear threats. Operation Sindoor, Jaishankar said, not only eliminated terror camps in Pakistan but also served the global community by dismantling terror infrastructure in places like Bahawalpur and Muridke.

Taking a swipe at Opposition leaders who ridiculed India’s military action, he said those in doubt should “watch videos of funerals of terrorists in Pakistan and destruction of airfields in the neighbouring country.”

He described Operation Sindoor as a “well-considered and thoughtful response” to the barbaric Pahalgam attack and said it now serves as the foundation of India’s new counter-terrorism doctrine. “India will keep responding to each terror attack in the same way,” he added.

On questions about his recent trip to China, Jaishankar said his visit focused on issues including terrorism, de-escalation, and trade. “I had no secret meeting,” he remarked, indirectly targeting senior Congress leaders. He said India’s relationship with China would be guided by “mutual interest, mutual sensitivity and mutual respect.”

The Minister also acknowledged and thanked the multi-party parliamentary delegations that engaged with several countries following Operation Sindoor, describing their efforts as a significant contribution to the nation.
(With PTI Inputs)