New Delhi [India], May 29 (ANI): The cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan, which took place on May 10 following India’s Operation Sindoor, was the result of direct contact between the two countries’ Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs), not through any international mediation, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) clarified on Thursday.
Addressing questions at the weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized that discussions between Indian and U.S. leaders during the conflict did not involve any trade or tariff considerations. “Our position on this particular issue has been well articulated. From the time Operation Sindoor commenced on May 7 till the cessation of firing on May 10, there were conversations between Indian and U.S. leaders on the evolving military situation,” Jaiswal said. “The issue of trade or tariff did not come up in any of those discussions,” he added.
Jaiswal further underscored that the ceasefire agreement was a bilateral military decision. “External Affairs Minister has also made clear that the cessation of firing was decided upon through direct contacts between the DGMOs of India and Pakistan.”
The clarification comes amid reports that a U.S. Commerce Department statement submitted in a U.S. court suggested the U.S. had mediated between India and Pakistan and used trade as leverage. Dismissing the claim, Jaiswal said, “When I state my position, I do it as spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs of the Government of India, with the flags on both sides. That has an implication, means a lot.”
India launched Operation Sindoor in response to a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). The operation involved precision strikes and countermeasures to repel Pakistani military aggression, including attacks on airbases. The ceasefire was agreed upon after the Pakistani DGMO reached out to his Indian counterpart.
In response to a question on the recent visit of Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to the United States, Jaiswal detailed several high-level engagements. Misri met U.S. Under Secretary Jeffrey Kessler to further India-U.S. cooperation in critical and emerging technologies. He also led India’s delegation for inter-agency discussions at the White House as part of the India-U.S. Compact for the 21st Century.
“These meetings focused on implementing trust initiatives related to tech partnerships and enhancing cooperation in defense and energy sectors,” said Jaiswal. Strengthening multilateral platforms like the QUAD, IMEC (India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor), and I2U2 (India-Israel-UAE-USA) was also on the agenda.
Foreign Secretary Misri also held discussions with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau. “They discussed all aspects of the India-U.S. relationship, particularly emphasizing that technology, trade, and talent will shape the India-U.S. partnership in the 21st century,” said Jaiswal. “Both reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the India-U.S. Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.”
The MEA emphasized that the recent diplomatic engagements between India and the U.S. were centered on long-term strategic cooperation rather than conflict mediation or economic leverage related to Operation Sindoor. (ANI)
About The Author
