National Times Bureau, May 26, 2025: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has decisively quashed speculation that India and Pakistan were near a nuclear confrontation during their recent military standoff. In an interview with the German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Jaishankar stated that both nations were “very, very far” from considering the use of nuclear weapons, despite heightened tensions in May 2025.
His comments directly counter persistent narratives suggesting the region had neared nuclear disaster during India’s Operation Sindoor and Pakistan’s retaliatory strikes. According to Jaishankar, “At no point was a nuclear level reached,” and the situation remained within the realm of conventional military engagement.
Supporting this position, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri recently told a parliamentary panel that there was “no nuclear signaling” from Pakistan throughout the crisis. Misri added that the exchange of hostilities stayed strictly within conventional boundaries, further dispelling fears of a nuclear escalation.
Jaishankar also reiterated India’s unwavering policy of resolving issues with Pakistan strictly on a bilateral basis. He made it clear that New Delhi rejects any form of third-party mediation and remains firmly opposed to “nuclear blackmail.” His Berlin statement emphasized that India will continue to act with restraint but will not hesitate to defend its sovereignty when provoked.
The minister’s remarks reflect India’s strategic clarity in handling high-stakes regional tensions focusing on deterrence, conventional strength, and diplomatic firmness rather than panic-driven escalation.
