External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has firmly dismissed US President Donald Trump’s assertion of playing a mediating role in the recent India-Pakistan ceasefire, stressing that the agreement was reached solely through direct talks between the two countries.
During an interview in the Netherlands, Jaishankar clarified, “This is something that only India and Pakistan need to settle directly.”
He underscored that any future dialogue must focus on curbing terrorism.
“We are always ready to talk, but the talks must be serious and should focus on stopping terrorism,” Jaishankar further noted.
Trump had earlier claimed that the United States contributed to resolving what he termed a ‘thousand-year conflict’ between India and Pakistan.
However, India has consistently rejected the idea of third-party involvement in matters concerning its relationship with Pakistan, including the Kashmir issue.
In the same interview, Jaishankar addressed the long-standing tensions between the two nations, tracing the origins back to the 1947 Partition.
He recounted that Pakistan’s initial aggression involved sending armed men disguised as tribal fighters into Kashmir – a move later confirmed to involve Pakistani soldiers, some in uniform, others not.
“Over many years, Pakistan has followed a path of extremism and has used terrorism across the border to put pressure on India,” Jaishankar remarked.
The minister’s remarks follow renewed hostilities triggered by a terrorist attack in Pahalgam on 22 April, which resulted in 26 casualties, including one Nepali national.
In retaliation, India launched ‘Operation Sindoor’ – a targeted counter-terror campaign that struck nine major terror strongholds in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
According to official reports, over 100 militants affiliated with groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen, eliminated in the operation.
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