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Why Trump rated his call with Zelenskyy, European leaders a ‘10 out of 10'

Why Trump rated his call with Zelenskyy, European leaders a ‘10 out of 10'

First Post10 hours ago
Praise, positivity and punishment… these three words sum up Donald Trump's conference call with Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders. This phone call came a day ahead of the American president's high-stakes summit with Russia's Vladimir Putin in Alaska. Here's what came out of it
After his call with Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders, Donald Trump said there will likely be a second meeting with Putin that includes Zelenskyy. File image/AFP
In the next 24 hours, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin will come face-to-face in Alaska to discuss the Ukraine war and steps to stop the fighting. This will be the first time the Russian leader has been permitted on Western soil since his February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which has killed tens of thousands of people.
Ahead of this high-stakes meeting, Trump held a con-call with Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders on August 13, which he described as a 'very good one', saying it 'was a 10'.
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But what took place in that call? What was the message that the European leaders along with Zelenskyy conveyed to Trump? Here's what we learnt from the call.
Conference call with the biggest names
The call between Trump and European leaders, perhaps, had the biggest names in the world.
There was US President Donald Trump along with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, UK's Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, France's Emmanuel Macron, Italy's Giorgia Meloni, Poland's Donald Tusk, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, EU leader Ursula von der Leyen and Nato's Mark Rutte.
Notably, the host of this call was the German leader. Zelenskyy travelled to Berlin for the meeting and briefed reporters afterwards with Merz. 'We had a truly exceptionally constructive and good conversation' with the president, Merz told reporters in brief remarks. 'There is hope for movement, there is hope for peace in Ukraine,' he added.
The phone call was followed by another larger meeting of the 'Coalition of the Willing' that US Vice President JD Vance attended.
US President Donald Trump speaks during a visit to the Kennedy Centre in Washington. He warned that Russia would face very severe consequences if it didn't adhere to a ceasefire after Friday's meeting. Reuters
Trump praises Europe — a shift in tone
After the digital gaggle, Trump described the call as 'very good', rating it as 'a 10'. Speaking at the Kennedy Centre, the US president sounded pleased with his allies. 'We had a very good call,' he told reporters. 'I would rate it a 10. Very friendly.'
Even earlier, Trump was appreciative of his European counterparts; before the call, Trump wrote on Truth Social, 'Will be speaking to European leaders in a short while. They are great people who want to see a deal done.'
This is in stark contrast to the American leader's previous stance on Europe and Ukraine when it comes to the war. Trump has been famously mercurial on the issue of Ukraine; he has frozen out Europe in the past when it comes to the war. Also, he has praised Putin in the past, calling him a genius. However, in the recent past, Trump has issued many verbal diatribes towards Putin — even calling him 'crazy'.
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Trump won't discuss land divisions with Putin
In the call, US President Trump agreed that any territorial issues had to be decided with Volodymyr Zelenskyy's involvement. According to two European officials and three other people briefed on the call, Trump told European leaders during a call on Wednesday that he does not intend to discuss any possible divisions of territory when he meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15.
He also told his European counterparts and Zelenskyy that the meeting with Putin had one goal — securing a ceasefire in Ukraine. Trump and European leaders agreed that a ceasefire in Ukraine has to be implemented before peace negotiations can begin, the European officials and two other people briefed on the call said. Some of the European leaders were left with the impression from the call that Trump is not optimistic about the results of his meeting with Putin, they added.
Earlier, there had been concerns that Trump and Putin might agree to the parameters of a peace deal, including territorial divisions, and then try to pressure Ukraine to agree to it. Trump's comments last week that there would 'be some land swapping' between Russia and Ukraine, in particular, put Zelenskyy and European leaders on edge.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy walks next to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz upon arrival in the garden of the chancellery in Berlin to join a video conference of European leaders with the US President on the Ukraine war ahead of the summit between the US and Russian leaders. AFP
But the two European officials and three other people briefed on Wednesday's call said all the leaders agreed that Ukraine must be included in negotiations and should be the one to decide what territorial concessions it might be willing to make. They also said the leaders were united in their belief that if Putin does not agree to a ceasefire, Trump will likely levy new sanctions on Russia.
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It is learnt that European leaders left feeling positive about Trump's plans for his meeting with Putin. One of them said achieving a ceasefire is expected to be the priority for Trump in the meeting. The other person expressed confidence that Ukrainian territory would not be negotiated without Ukraine.
The Politico also reported that Trump was willing to contribute security guarantees for Ukraine — with some conditions. Sources told the news outlet that America was willing to play some sort of role in providing Kyiv with the means to deter future Russian aggression if a ceasefire is reached. However, it's not clear what Trump meant by security guarantees and only discussed the broader concept.
When asked about the call, the White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement: 'The White House does not discuss details of the president's private diplomatic conversations. However, President Trump has been clear that he wants to end this war and stop the killing, and Friday's meeting with President Putin will serve as an important moment in this process.'
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Later on, Trump also signalled that he would get tough with Russia if it didn't agree to a ceasefire in Friday's meeting. After the call, when asked if Russia would face consequences if Putin did not agree to stop the war after the Alaska meeting, Trump said: 'Yes, they will… very severe consequences.'
Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer co-chairs the Coalition of the Willing videoconference call with European leaders on Ukraine, ahead of the expected meeting of US President Donald Trump and Russia's President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. Reuters
Trump eyes trilateral with Putin and Zelenskyy
Following his one-hour call, Trump also said he was planning a second meeting with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin soon after Friday's Alaska summit — this time with Ukraine leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy included.
'If the first one goes okay, we'll have a quick second one,' he told reporters. 'I would like to do it almost immediately, and we'll have a quick second meeting between President Putin and President Zelensky and myself, if they'd like to have me there.'
Even France's Macron spoke on the possible future trilateral, saying that he hoped that such a meeting could be held in Europe 'in a neutral country that is acceptable to all parties,' AFP noted.
France's President Emmanuel Macron, European Council President Antonio Costa, France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and France's Minister of Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu attend a video conference on Ukraine with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz from the Fort de Bregancon presidential holidays residence in Bormes-les-Mimosas, southern France. AFP
Trump gets angry with Macron during call
It is learnt that during the video-conference call, Trump 'did not like' being called out by France's Emmanuel Macron. Axios reported that the French president 'took very tough positions' and told Trump that a meeting was 'a very big thing' to give Putin.
Sources told Axios that 'Trump didn't like that'.
An overall sense of positivity
It seems that the call, did indeed, go very well as everyone involved came out with a sense of positivity with the European leaders seeming upbeat.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskky himself said afterwards, 'Our mood now is that we are united, and it was very positive [as] all the partners spoke in one voice, one desire, the same principles and the same vision and this is an important step forward.'
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Even Germany's Merz said that Trump had agreed to five principles for the talks with Putin. They include keeping Ukraine 'at the table' for follow-up meetings on the war and refusing to discuss peace terms, like swaps of land between Russia and Ukraine, before a ceasefire is put in place.
With inputs from agencies
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Why India is watching the Alaska summit closely
Why India is watching the Alaska summit closely

First Post

time17 minutes ago

  • First Post

Why India is watching the Alaska summit closely

As India prepares to celebrate its Independence Day, it is undoubtedly keeping its eye on the meeting between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump in Alaska. But why does India have a stake in the successful outcome of the meeting between Putin and Trump? What do experts say? Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are set to meet in Alaska tomorrow (August 15). And India is watching closely. As India prepares to celebrate its Independence Day, it is undoubtedly keeping its eye on the events that are occurring nearly 10,000 kilometers away in the last Frontier State. But why does India have a stake in the successful outcome of the meeting between Putin and Trump? Let's take a closer look: New Delhi's position on the war From the beginning of the Ukraine war in 2022, New Delhi has taken a consistent and pragmatic position – the war must end through dialogue and diplomacy. This is a sentiment Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly voiced over the years. Perhaps none more memorably than in October 2022 on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Samarkand. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Modi, meeting Putin, told the Russian president 'this is not the era of war'. 'I know that today's era is not an era of war, and I have spoken to you on the phone about this', Modi said. 'We've spoken to you many times on the phone before on this, that democracy, diplomacy and dialogue — these things help the world. In the coming days, we will get the chance to talk about how to move on to the road to peace, I will also get the chance to better understand your viewpoint.' Putin at the time responded, 'I know your position on the conflict in Ukraine, the concerns that you constantly express. We will do everything to stop this as soon as possible.' Modi and India's message was even reflected in the declaration of the Bali G20 Summit in 2022. Modi also conveyed a similar message to Putin during his trip to Russia in July 2024 – which came just after a Russian airstrike on a children's Hospital in Kyiv left over three dozen dead. Modi, addressing Putin as his dear friend, said peace is 'of utmost importance' and a solution to the war in Ukraine 'cannot be found on the battlefield'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly voiced the sentiment that the war must end via dialogue and diplomacy. 'I know that war cannot solve problems, solutions and peace talks can't succeed among bombs, guns and bullets. And we need to find a way to peace through dialogue,' Modi said at the Kremlin. 'When innocent children are murdered, one sees them die, the heart pains and that pain is unbearable', he added. He repeated the message when he visited Poland last year for a two-day trip and met Indian diaspora. Modi before the trip said he would 'share perspectives' on a peaceful resolution of the conflict. 'As a friend and partner, we hope for an early return of peace and stability in the region,' Modi said. He repeated 'this is not an era of war' and any conflict should be resolved through diplomacy and dialogue. The Ministry of External Affairs also reiterated this message after news of the Trump-Putin summit emerged. 'As Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said on several occasions, 'This is not an era of war'', the MEA said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Opportunity to ease tensions with US The Trump-Putin summit could also ease tensions between India and the United States over the purchase of Russian crude oil. Trump has imposed a 50 per cent tariff on India for its trade relationship with Russia and accused New Delhi of fuelling Russia's war in Ukraine. India has hit back calling the levies 'unfair, unjustified and unreasonable.' New Delhi has also pointed out that prior to the war, India bought a fraction of its crude from Moscow and that it began doing so with US encouragement, which also kept the price of crude under control for the world. It also pointed to the hypocrisy of the United States and Europe continuing to trade with Russia. It has said it has placed the national interest above all else and will continue to do so. This was backed up by the Kremlin with spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying, 'Sovereign countries should have and do have the right to choose their own trading partners.' Trump has also ruled out further trade talks with India until the 'crude oil issue is resolved'. The development came in the backdrop of India and the United States trying to negotiate a trade deal. The United States has been pushing hard to for India to open up its sensitive dairy and agricultural sector. Senior US officials have said that Trump and the entire trade team are frustrated by New Delhi's insistence of a red line on agriculture. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A Russian crude oil tanker transits the Bosphorus in Istanbul. Reuters India's interest in a breakthrough in Alaska is clear. If Trump and Putin agreed to a ceasefire, the US-led West may roll back some sanctions on Russia. This in turn will help India, which is an important trading partner of Russia, to continue purchasing Russian oil. India has saved billions over the past few years as it buys crude oil from Russia, which has been placed under a cap and not sanctioned by the West. Experts have said that India's crude oil bill could rise between $1.5 billion and $12 billion in the coming years if it stops buying Russian crude. They have warned that doing so would be 'logistically daunting, economically painful and geopolitically fraught'. 'The pivot away from Russia, if forced, will be costly, complex and politically fraught', data firm Kpler wrote. Trade deal negotiations could restart It will also relieve some pressure off Trump himself, who has seemingly grown frustrated with Putin in recent months. Trump came to office vowing to end the war 'within 24 hours'. 'We get a lot of bullshit thrown at us by Putin, if you want to know the truth', Trump said in July. 'We're not happy with Putin. I'm not happy with Putin. I can tell you that much right now, because he's killing a lot of people.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump can tout any breakthrough in Alaska with Putin as a victory. He can roll back tariffs on India and allow the trade deal negotiations to restart. US President Donald Trump and some of his officials from the administration have been pressuring India to forego its oil trade with Russia. File image/Reuters US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Tuesday that several major trade deals, including those with Switzerland and India, remain pending, remarking that New Delhi had been 'a bit recalcitrant' in its negotiations with Washington. Bessent has said that the Trump administration hopes to conclude the trade negotiations by the end of October. Modi, in his first response to Trump's move, has vowed never to compromise on the interests of India's farmers, even if it meant paying a heavy political price. 'Our farmers' welfare is paramount,' Modi said at an event in New Delhi. 'India will never compromise on the wellbeing of its farmers, dairy sector, or fishermen — and I know I may have to pay a heavy price for standing firm on this.' Keeping options open, Russia relationship A ceasefire or a peace deal in Alaska would allow India to keep its options wide open when it comes to balancing its global affairs. New Delhi has remained neutral on the Russia-Ukraine war at international forums such as the United Nations despite pressures from the US-led West. New Delhi has done so because it has friends on both sides of the aisle. India has also volunteered to act as a bridge, if possible, between Russia and Ukraine. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India as a developing power also needs to ensure friendly relations with major powers like the United States, the European Union, China. However, it cannot sacrifice its relationship with Russia, which goes back decades, to do so. India is reliant on Russia for a lot more than oil. In fact much of India's military hardware still comes from Russia. The S-400 air defence system'. Reuters As Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has written, 'India was the world's second largest arms importer in 2020–24 with an 8.3 per cent share of global imports. Indian arms imports decreased by 9.3 per cent between 2015–19 and 2020–24, at least partly due to India's increasing ability to design and produce its own weapons.' Russia still comprises over a third of India's arm imports. Though India is buying more from Western suppliers particularly France, Israel and the United States, New Delhi possibly replacing Moscow a as a major arms supplier remains years away at best. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This is a testament to the long and enduring relationship with Moscow going back to the 1960s when the United States was far more predisposed towards Pakistan. What do experts say? They say many in India remain a supporter of Russia – and with good reason. 'Many Indians still find Russia today, because of the history, a reliable partner,' Harsh V Pant of the Observer Research Foundation told The Times of India. 'Many in India believe that America has always been more favourably disposed towards Pakistan.' Indian diplomats such as Pankaj Saran and DB Venkatesh Varma said that the summit could be 'defining and potentially transformative'. 'It is a defining and potentially transformative summit for the world, specially for India. Our ties with both countries are integral to the success of our national development and security goals. India should extend its full support to the summit,' Saran said. 'The Alaska summit could prove to be a turning point at the global level and India has a vital interest in its success,' Verma added.

Trump is aiming for Pakistan-style compliance from India, but his plan is not working
Trump is aiming for Pakistan-style compliance from India, but his plan is not working

Economic Times

time17 minutes ago

  • Economic Times

Trump is aiming for Pakistan-style compliance from India, but his plan is not working

Synopsis Amidst rising tensions, the US-India trade relationship faces turbulence as Trump's administration imposes tariffs, allegedly to pressure India on geopolitical issues like Russian oil imports. India views these actions as an infringement on its sovereignty, resisting demands to compromise on agriculture, patent laws and military sourcing. India's refusal to play a compliant role, unlike Pakistan, frustrates Trump. "Trump wants a vessel like Pakistan. India refuses to behave like one." That blunt assessment from Ajay Srivastava, founder of the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), captures the essence of the US-India trade saga: it's less about economics than geopolitics. While headlines focus on tariffs and trade deficits, the underlying story is about power, leverage and sovereignty. Speaking to Economic Times, Srivastava explains, "Washington expects compliance, and India is not yielding." Trump, who is set to meet Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Friday at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska, has long framed tariffs as a tool to 'fix trade deficits,' but India's case suggests a different motive. On August 7, the US announced it would raise tariffs on Indian goods from 25% to 50%, citing Delhi's purchase of Russian oil. India called the move 'unfair' and 'unjustified,' with the new rate set to take effect on August 27. The White House framed the tariffs as a way to cut Russia's energy revenues and pressure Vladimir Putin toward a ceasefire. With this increase, India becomes the most heavily taxed US trading partner in Asia, joining Brazil which faces similar steep tariffs amid tense bilateral relations. The economic stakes for India are high. In 2024, India exported $87 billion worth of goods to the US. According to US Census Bureau data for May 2025, imports from India stood at $9.43 billion, while US exports to India were $3.82 billion, resulting in a US goods trade deficit, or an Indian surplus, of roughly $5.6 billion. If the 50% tariffs remain in place, nearly all of India's annual exports to the US could become commercially unviable. Meanwhile, the US continues to run a $45.7 billion goods trade deficit with India, yet these tariffs disproportionately affect Indian exports compared with goods from other Srivastava, the message is clear: 'Trade deficit is just for the namesake. It's about forcing countries to fall in line with a geopolitical agenda.' India imports roughly 20% of its GDP in goods, spanning petroleum, machinery and electronics, yet Washington appears less concerned with trade imbalances than with pressuring India to compromise on and dairy have emerged as key sticking points in India-US trade talks, which collapsed earlier this month. On August 7, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared, 'India will never compromise on the well-being of its farmers, dairy producers and fishermen.' New Delhi has consistently resisted US pressure to open these sectors, arguing that doing so would threaten millions of small farmers. Historically, India has kept agriculture largely off the table in trade agreements to safeguard domestic to Srivastava, US demands extend far beyond tariffs: opening government procurement, diluting patent laws that could make medicines costlier, limiting future digital taxes, and shifting military sourcing to the US. 'Even if we open agri and dairy, no trade deal will happen with this. Not a trade issue. They want you to open your government procurement, dilute patent laws, commit to never charge digital tax in future, buy military from the US, the list is endless,' he adds, 'Trump imposed 50% tariffs on Brazil partly over politics and partly because Brazil asked Twitter to remove anti-Brazil content. Records show India generates even more such requests, so he could use that as an excuse too. He can conjure unlimited reasons to impose tariffs if he's unhappy. My sense is he doesn't want a partner in India, he wants a vassal. India refuses to play that role; it insists on an equal partnership. That's the basic problem.'The US approach to Russian oil imports is uneven. China, Russia's largest crude buyer, faces no comparable tariff threats, while India is under heavy pressure. 'Even if the US demanded zero imports from Russia, India's imports would fall anyway due to economic circumstances,' notes Srivastava. European and US bans on petroleum products derived from Russian crude are already reducing India's imports, independent of Washington's selective approach reflects a broader pattern in US trade policy. Brazil, for example, faced a 50% tariff despite running a surplus with the US, largely over political disagreements including its stance on Venezuela and former President Bolsonaro. Venezuela itself is under secondary sanctions for buyers of its oil, though some firms, like Chevron, have received exemptions. These cases suggest that political alignment often outweighs economic between Russia and the US has dropped roughly 90% since the Kremlin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, though last year the US still imported $3 billion worth of Russian goods, according to the US Bureau of Economic Analysis and Census Bureau. Meanwhile, the European Union, a partner in sanctions against Russia, imported $41.9 billion (36 billion euros) of Russian goods in 2024, Eurostat data the US pressures India to cut Russian oil imports, market forces and global regulations are already reshaping trade flows. Europe and US bans on petroleum products ensure India's imports will decline regardless of Washington's actions. Srivastava cautions, however, that the US may find new reasons for tariffs, keeping India under continuous has built a buffer against such pressures. Exports constitute roughly 20% of GDP, compared with 90% for Vietnam, a country far more vulnerable to US-imposed shocks. 'Vietnam will suffer more. We will suffer, but we will absorb it properly. Country will bounce back. All we need to do is not to surrender,' Srivastava US consumers will also feel the impact of tariffs. About 90% of prescriptions in the US rely on generics imported from India. While the total trade value may be under $10 billion, disruption affects the majority of prescriptions, potentially raising prices significantly. Companies may eventually source alternatives over three to four months, but the immediate effect is inflationary.'Indian exports will suffer, but we need to consider whether it's better to endure this and use it to push delayed reforms, like diversifying exports, rather than falling into a bad deal. This isn't really about trade; it's about surrendering sovereignty,' Srivastava Srivastava, Trump's broader strategy is political theatre. 'Basically, he wanted to hit China. He couldn't, so he has to show his domestic voters that he is a big man, that a bully can show strength by hitting someone. He couldn't hit China, so let's hit India, that's the only thing.'With China, Trump launched a trade war over the large trade deficit, but Beijing hit back by restricting supplies of critical materials, he noted. 'India hasn't used those levers, which is why Washington expected Delhi to yield immediately.'India's refusal to play a compliant role, unlike Pakistan, frustrates Trump. At the same time, India maintains strategic autonomy, engaging with Russia on defence, limiting deep Chinese investment to marketing and distribution, and managing relations with the US on equal footing. 'We are a big country, big economy, and so we have to have workable, good relations with everyone, without being in anybody's camp,' Srivastava pre-Galwan, Chinese investment has been superficial. 'China doesn't invest in deep manufacturing. They will not supply any technology. They will invest in marketing of cars, garments, two, $5 billion here and there, but we don't want that. So we have to evaluate very carefully,' he says.'We can have targeted strategic relationships, like with Russia for defence, but moving closer to China is complicated. There's the border dispute and a $100 billion trade deficit,' he export-oriented economy, diversified supply chains and robust domestic market allow it to absorb short-term shocks while resisting long-term concessions. 'All we need to do is not enter into any relationship that costs us the medium or long term,' Srivastava takeaway is clear: Trump's tariffs are less about trade and more about leverage. Every tweet, every tariff threat, every demand is a political signal designed to demonstrate strength to domestic voters. 'Every day he abuses us on Twitter. That shows India has entered his mind,' Srivastava response emphasises sovereignty, resilience and strategic foresight. "Trade deal is not a trade deal. It's about bargaining for your sovereignty. And India is not bargaining."

Temper rhetoric, any misadventure will have painful consequences: India warns Pakistan
Temper rhetoric, any misadventure will have painful consequences: India warns Pakistan

Hans India

time17 minutes ago

  • Hans India

Temper rhetoric, any misadventure will have painful consequences: India warns Pakistan

New Delhi: India on Thursday slammed Pakistan over its continuous "reckless, war-mongering and hateful comments" against New Delhi, terming it a "well-known modus operandi" of Pakistani leadership to whip up "anti-India" rhetoric to hide its own failures. While addressing a weekly media briefing on Thursday, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also warned Pakistan of "painful consequences" in case it engages in any misadventure. "We have seen several statements. We have seen reports regarding a continuing pattern of reckless, war-mongering and hateful comments from Pakistani leadership against India. It is well-known modus operandi of the Pakistani leadership to whip up anti-India rhetoric time and again to hide their own failures. Pakistan would be well-advised to temper its rhetoric, as any misadventure will have painful consequences, as was demonstrated recently," said Jaiswal in response to a question on the recent controversial statements made by Pakistani Army Chief General Asim Munir. The MEA's strong response came after Munir during his recent visit to the United States warned that Pakistan will never allow India to choke the Indus River and will defend its water rights at all costs even if its forces will have to destroy any dam that India sought to build on it. "We will wait for India to build a dam, and when they do so, we will destroy it ... The Indus River is not the Indians' family property. We have no shortage of resources to undo the Indian designs to stop the river," Munir was quoted as saying by leading Pakistani daily Dawn at an event organised by members of the Pakistani-American community in Tampa, Florida, last week. India, which has already made it clear that it will not give in to nuclear blackmail, had earlier reacted strongly to the comments made by Munir. On Monday, Jaiswal stated, "Our attention has been drawn to remarks reportedly made by the Pakistani Chief of Army Staff while on a visit to the United States. Nuclear sabre-rattling is Pakistan's stock-in-trade. The international community can draw its own conclusions on the irresponsibility inherent in such remarks, which also reinforce the well-held doubts about the integrity of nuclear command and control in a state where the military is hand-in-glove with terrorist groups." In the statement, MEA also expressed regret that these remarks were made in a friendly third nation. "It is also regrettable that these remarks should have been made from the soil of a friendly third country. India has already made it clear that it will not give in to nuclear blackmail. We will continue to take all steps necessary to safeguard our national security," the MEA statement mentioned. Earlier in April, India had hit out strongly at the Pakistani Army Chief for referring Kashmir as Islamabad's "jugular vein". "See, how can anything foreign be their jugular vein? This is a Union Territory of India. Its only relationship with Pakistan is the vacation of illegally-occupied territories by that country," said Jaiswal during a regular media briefing on April 17.

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