S. Jaishankar Rejects Trump’s Mediation Claim on India-Pak Ceasefire

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has refuted President Donald Trump’s assertion that the United States mediated a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, emphasizing that the agreement was reached through direct negotiations between the two South Asian nations.

In an interview with Dutch broadcaster NOS, Jaishankar clarified, “The ceasefire was negotiated directly between India and Pakistan. We told everyone, including the US, that if they want an understanding, they have to talk to us directly. And that’s why it happened.”

The foreign minister revealed that several countries contacted India during the four-day conflict. He stated that the Narendra Modi government informed all nations, including the US, that Pakistan would need to engage directly with India to secure a ceasefire.

Shedding light on the events leading up to the May 10 ceasefire, Jaishankar indicated that the proposition to de-escalate originated from the Pakistani side. He noted, “It was the Pakistani army which sent a message that they were ready to stop firing, and we responded accordingly.”

Jaishankar reiterated that the ceasefire was a direct negotiation between Islamabad and New Delhi, stressing that no other country played a role. He quipped, “The US was in the United States.”