‘Trump Didn’t Take Permission’: No US Role in India-Pakistan Ceasefire, Foreign Secretary Tells Panel
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri told a parliamentary panel on Monday that the decision to observe a ceasefire between India and Pakistan was taken solely by the two countries, without any involvement from the United States. According to sources present at the meeting, Misri firmly rejected claims that the US had played a mediating role.
The issue came up after some opposition members raised questions about former US President Donald Trump’s repeated public claims that his administration had helped broker peace during the conflict. “Trump claimed at least seven times that he played a role in the ceasefire. Why didn’t India set the record straight?” one panel member reportedly asked. Another member expressed concern that India had allowed Trump to dominate the narrative, especially since he often referred to Kashmir while making those claims.
In response, Misri was clear: “The ceasefire was entirely a bilateral decision between India and Pakistan. There was absolutely no role played by the US,” he told the committee. On Trump’s public statements, he remarked, “Donald Trump didn’t ask for our permission to take centre stage. He chose to speak, and he did.”
No Nuclear Threat from Pakistan, Says Misri
Misri also addressed concerns about the possibility of nuclear escalation during the conflict, stating there was no sign of nuclear posturing or signalling from Pakistan. “The conflict remained conventional,” he assured the panel.
The ceasefire came into effect after both countries’ Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) reached an understanding on May 10 to halt all military activity.
On Pakistan’s Use of Chinese Arms: “We Hit Their Airbases Hard”
When some members questioned Pakistan’s use of Chinese-origin military hardware during the escalation, Misri downplayed its significance. “It doesn’t matter what they used — what matters is that we hit their airbases hard,” he said.
However, when pressed for the number of Indian aircraft lost during the hostilities, Misri declined to provide details, citing national security concerns.
Clarification on Jaishankar’s Statement
Misri also responded to questions regarding External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s statement about Operation Sindoor, India’s military response following the Pahalgam attack. He urged panel members not to misinterpret Jaishankar’s remarks, clarifying that the minister had simply stated India had informed Pakistan after the first phase of the operation that only terrorist targets within Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) were struck.
The meeting of the Parliament’s Standing Committee on External Affairs, chaired by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, brought together several prominent political leaders. Among those present were Trinamool’s Abhishek Banerjee, Congress leaders Rajeev Shukla and Deepender Hooda, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, and BJP MPs Aparajita Sarangi and Arun Govil.
