Jaishankar Denies Foreign Mediation in Operation Sindoor Ceasefire, Blames Pakistan for Pahalgam Attack

New Delhi, July 30, 2025 — External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Wednesday firmly rejected any claims of foreign intervention in the ceasefire during Operation Sindoor, clarifying that the halting of military operations against Pakistan was not influenced by trade negotiations or international pressure. His statement came during a special discussion on the Operation in the Rajya Sabha, where he categorically stated that no communication occurred between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump from April 22 to June 16.

Jaishankar dismissed opposition claims that the ceasefire was influenced by U.S. mediation and trade leverage. He stressed that India’s decisions were independent and uncompromising in matters of national security. Refuting the notion of any third-party involvement, he emphasized that the cessation of Operation Sindoor was a strategic choice, not a diplomatic concession.

Reaffirming India’s position against cross-border terrorism, Jaishankar said that India launched Operation Sindoor in direct response to provocations from Pakistan and would not hesitate to respond similarly in the future. Referring to the recent Pahalgam terror attack, he said Pakistan had crossed a red line, making accountability and justice non-negotiable.

“The attack was absolutely unacceptable. Pakistan has to face consequences,” Jaishankar said, underlining that India would not allow the peace to be disturbed by proxy actors operating from across the border.

He further defended the government’s decision to suspend the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan, stating, “Blood and water will not flow together.” The move, he claimed, corrected a historic error rooted in Nehru-era appeasement policies. “The Treaty was never about peace, but about appeasement. We have corrected that mistake,” he declared.

The Minister highlighted that terrorism has become a global priority due to India’s diplomatic efforts. He pointed to India’s role in increasing pressure on Pakistan through the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and securing United Nations designation of The Resistance Front (TRF) a proxy of Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba as a terrorist outfit. TRF had claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack.

Jaishankar concluded by affirming that India will continue to defend its sovereignty, retaliate to aggression, and dismantle the networks of terror, regardless of external narratives or opposition criticism.