New Delhi: India has once again firmly rejected US President Donald Trump’s claim that he brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan after the neighbours were involved in around 80-hour-long hostilities. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday clarified that the ceasefire was the outcome of direct military-level communication between the two nations, with no involvement from any third party.
Responding to the claim, which was made during the proceedings in a US court, the MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: “It has been repeatedly stated that the ceasefire happened through a telephonic conversation at the DGMO (Director General of Military Operations) level. There was no role of any third party.”
‘No external mediation’
The latest rebuttal comes amid renewed media attention on Trump’s past assertions that he played a key role in defusing tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours. However, India has consistently maintained that all ceasefire understandings have occurred bilaterally and directly, without external mediation.
External affairs minister has also made it clear that there was no involvement of any country in the pause of hostilities. Talking to a media channel he said recently, “US was in United States” when asked about its involvement.
In a related development, the MEA also responded to Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s proposal for dialogue, reiterating India’s unwavering stance on the core issues. “Any bilateral dialogue with Pakistan will be focused on terrorism and the return of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK),” Jaiswal said.
MEA on missing Indians in Iran
Speaking on the issue of three missing Indians in Iran, the MEA confirmed that it is in constant communication with Iranian authorities and expressed hope for a quick resolution.
Meanwhile, in response to comments by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, who appeared to blame India for Bangladesh’s internal crisis, the MEA offered a sharp rebuttal: “Trying to divert the attention of the people of Bangladesh won’t help. Turning a blind eye to the problems there will not solve anything; they must bring the situation under control themselves.”
