New Delhi, May 13 (KNO): Dismissing US President Donald Trump's recent claim that he brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday clarified that it was Pakistan that approached India for a cessation of hostilities, following a strong retaliatory offensive by Indian forces.
Addressing a news conference here, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that India's military response compelled Pakistan to seek a ceasefire. “The call from Pakistan’s side was received at 12:37 PM on May 10. Due to technical issues, they faced difficulties in establishing the connection, and finally the conversation between the DGMOs (Directors General of Military Operations) took place at 15:35 hours,” he said.
Jaiswal confirmed that an understanding on ceasefire was worked out between the DGMOs. “We had mounted attacks on Pakistan that morning. It was the force and clarity of India's military response that compelled Pakistan to seek talks,” he said.
ONLY OUTSTANDING MATTER IS VACATION OF POJK
As for Kashmir, Jaiswal reaffirmed India's long-standing position: “We have a long-standing national position that any issues pertaining to the Union territory of J&K have to be addressed by India and Pakistan bilaterally. That stated policy has not changed. As you are aware – the only outstanding matter is the vacation of the illegally occupied territory by Pakistan i.e. Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK).”
The MEA spokesman said that the next round of DGMO talks will be communicated “as and when scheduled” and stressed that the government remains committed to defending the country’s sovereignty and ensuring justice for victims of terrorism.
“The message from India is loud and clear — terrorism will not go unanswered,” Jaiswal said.
On May 11, Trump had said he is proud that the USA was able to help India and Pakistan arrive at the ceasefire agreement, and added that he would work with both countries to see if a solution can be arrived at regarding Kashmir.
In a post on his Truth Social, the US President said: “Additionally, I will work with you both (India and Pakistan) to see if, after a “thousand years,” a solution can be arrived at concerning Kashmir."
NO DISCUSSION ON TRADE WERE HELD WITH US
Asked about the discussions that took place between India and US leadership between May 7 and 10, Jaiswal said: “There were conversations between Indian and US leaders between May 7and May 10, but no discussion on trade were held.”
“As regards the conversations with other nations, the message from India was clear and consistent. “And exactly the same message that we were conveying from public platforms was the one conveyed in private conversations. It was that India was responding to the 22nd April terrorist attack. However, if the Pakistani armed forces fire, Indian armed forces will fire back; if Pakistan stops, India will also stop.”
He said, “This was also the message that was conveyed to the Pakistani side at the time of the commencement of Operation Sindoor, which was not heeded to by the Pakistani side at that time. It is natural that many foreign leaders who heard this from us would have shared it with their Pakistani interlocutors."
HAVE SOUGHT DECLARATION OF TRF AS GLOBAL TERRORIST ORGANIZATION
He said, “Links have been established between the attackers and The Resistance Front (TRF) — a known proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).”
“TRF initially claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack and later denied it. We have shared detailed information with the UN Security Council’s Sanctions Committee and reiterated our demand that TRF be designated as a global terrorist organization as it’s the shadow outfit of Lashkar-e-Toiba ,” Jaiswal said.
The MEA spokesperson said that several terrorist camps and infrastructure in Bahawalpur, Muridke, and Muzaffarabad were destroyed in Indian strikes. “Pakistan’s military capability has been significantly degraded,” he said, “The message is clear — a nation that nurtures terrorism at an industrial scale cannot escape consequences.”
INDUS WATER TREATY TO REMAIN IN ABEYANCE
On the question of the status of the Indus Waters Treaty, Jaiswal said, “ Following the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting after the Pahalgam attack India decided to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). The spirit of goodwill and friendship that led to its signing has been betrayed. The treaty will remain in abeyance until Pakistan abjures cross-border terrorism.”
INDIAN MILITARY ACTIONS WERE WITHIN CONVENTIONAL BOUNDS
He also dismissed any concerns about escalation into nuclear conflict. “All Indian military actions were within conventional bounds. India does not give in to nuclear blackmail. Our actions were calculated, legal, and strategic,” Jaiswal said.
He emphasized that the international community now recognizes Pakistan’s role in global terrorism. “The UN Security Council has clearly stated that the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack must be held accountable,” he said.
He added that India’s right to self-defence remains non-negotiable, and any future act of terror will be met with a swift and decisive response.
ON BANGLADESH, RUSSIA-UKRAINE
The MEA spokesman also raised concerns about the ban on Awami League in Bangladesh “without due process,” calling for independent elections. On the Russia-Ukraine conflict, India reiterated its support for direct dialogue and peaceful resolution—(KNO)