India will deal with Pakistan purely bilaterally, there should be no confusion in any quarter in that regard: S Jaishankar
— DrSJaishankar (@DrSJaishankar)
'India-Pak ceasefire not via international mediation
Live Events
Operation Sindoor and the April 22 attack
No external broker, despite US claims
(You can now subscribe to our
(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday said that India will deal with Pakistan purely bilaterally, adding that India has zero-tolerance for terrorism and it will never give in to nuclear blackmail "India will deal with Pakistan purely bilaterally, there should be no confusion in any quarter in that regard," Jaishankar said during a press conference in Germany. The minister also said that Germany understood that every nation has right to defend itself against terrorism.In a post on X, Jaishankar said he met German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and "exchanged views on issues from our immediate neighborhood to global concerns and challenges".Jaishankar is in Berlin in the concluding leg of his three-nation tour to the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany.Earlier, Jaishankar had stated that the ceasefire between India and Pakistan was achieved through direct military communication between the two countries, not via international mediation.'The cessation of firing and military action was something which was negotiated directly between India and Pakistan,' Jaishankar said in an interview with Dutch broadcaster NOS. 'We made one thing very clear to everybody who spoke to us, not just the United States, but to everyone, saying look, if the Pakistani want to stop the firing, they need to tell us. We need to hear it from them, their general has to call our general and say this, and that is what happened.'On 10 May, a hotline call from the Pakistani military signalled their intent to stop hostilities. India responded accordingly.He acknowledged that while countries like the US, Gulf nations, and others expressed concern and spoke to both sides, the final agreement to end hostilities was made between India and Pakistan alone.Tensions flared after a terror attack on 22 April in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, claimed 26 civilian lives. In response, India launched 'Operation Sindoor' in the early hours of 7 May. The operation targeted nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. According to Indian military sources, over 100 militants linked to groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen were killed.Pakistan retaliated with shelling along the Line of Control and attempted drone incursions. India answered with strikes on radar systems, airfields, and communication centres in Pakistan. These escalations culminated in India launching a decisive air campaign on 10 May, striking eight Pakistani airbases.While India and Pakistan reached an understanding to end hostilities on 10 May, former US President Donald Trump claimed that he brokered the ceasefire."If you take a look at what we just did with Pakistan and India, we settled that whole thing, and I think I settled it through trade. We're doing a big deal with India. We're doing a big deal with Pakistan,' Trump said at a White House meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.Earlier, Trump had posted on his platform, Truth Social: 'After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE. Congratulations to both Countries on using Common Sense and Great Intelligence.'India rebutted the claims. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) clarified that the ceasefire understanding was strictly bilateral.'Our longstanding national position is that any issues pertaining to the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir have to be addressed by India and Pakistan bilaterally. That stated policy has not changed,' the MEA said.It also noted that 'the issue of trade did not come up in any discussions between Indian and U.S. leaders' from the start of Operation Sindoor to the ceasefire on 10 May.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
22 minutes ago
- Hans India
‘Art 370 abrogation put an end to Kashmir problems'
New Delhi: Congress leader Salman Khurshid, who is part of the all-party delegation on Operation Sindoor outreach mission, has said in Indonesia that the scrapping of Article 370 ended the long-standing problem of separatism in Jammu and Kashmir. He said this while interacting with members of Indonesian think tanks and academia as part of an all-party Indian parliamentary delegation. 'Kashmir had a major problem for a long time. Much of that was reflected in the thinking of the government in an article called 370 of the Constitution, which somehow gave the impression that it was separate from the rest of the country. But Article 370 was abrogated, and it was finally put to an end,' he said. Article 370 of the Constitution accorded special status to Jammu and Kashmir until it was revoked by the BJP-led government on August 5, 2019. After the abrogation, the state was bifurcated into Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. Both were turned into union territories. Khurshid, who is accompanying a multiparty delegation led by Janata Dal (United) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, also noted that the post-abrogation environment in Jammu and Kashmir has yielded progress. He cited the 65 per cent voter turnout in subsequent polls and the formation of an elected government in the union territory. 'Subsequently, there was an election with 65 per cent participation. There's an elected government in Kashmir today, and therefore, for people to want to undo everything that has the prosperity that has come to Kashmir. It would not be advisable,' he added. The delegation currently visiting Southeast Asia comprises representatives across political lines, including BJP MPs Aparajita Sarangi, Brij Lal, Pradan Baruah, and Hemang Joshi, Trinamool Congress' Abhishek Banerjee, CPI(M)'s John Brittas, and former Indian Ambassador Mohan Kumar.
Hans India
22 minutes ago
- Hans India
Suspected spy supplied Indian SIM cards to Pakistan
Jaipur: In a continued crackdown on espionage activities, intelligence agencies have arrested a suspected spy in Rajasthan for allegedly supplying Indian SIM cards to Pakistani intelligence operatives. The accused, identified as Qasim, is a resident of Bharatpur district in Rajasthan. He was arrested by Delhi Police's Special Task Force on Thursday and is currently in police custody. This arrest comes shortly after the apprehension of another suspect, Shakoor Khan, also from Rajasthan, for similar charges. According to police officials, Qasim had travelled to Pakistan twice -- the first time in August 2024 and then again in March 2025 -- spending a total of approximately 90 days there. During these visits, he is suspected to have established contact with agents of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Authorities revealed that Qasim was supplying Indian SIM cards to ISI operatives, who then used these numbers to contact Indian citizens via WhatsApp. The aim was to extract sensitive information related to the Indian Army and critical government institutions. 'In September 2024, the Special Cell/NDR received intelligence inputs indicating that Indian mobile numbers were being used by Pakistan Intelligence Operatives (PIOs) for espionage purposes. During the investigation, Qasim's name surfaced as a key suspect,' said a senior Delhi Police official. Qasim had been under surveillance since September 2024. His movements and communications were closely monitored, leading to the discovery of his links with Pakistani handlers. A case has been registered against Qasim under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Official Secrets Act. Police are now working to uncover the full extent of the network involved in smuggling Indian SIM cards to Pakistan and gathering intelligence for the enemy nation. Officials said further arrests may follow as the investigation progresses. On Wednesday night, Shakur Khan, the Personal Assistant of former Rajasthan Minister and MLA Saleh Mohammad, was arrested by the Rajasthan Police on espionage charges. Khan, who works in the district employment office, was found to have phone numbers associated with Pakistan stored on his device, an official said.
India Today
25 minutes ago
- India Today
News Menu, May 31: PM Modi in Bhopal today; security drill in Pak-bordering states
Good morning. On May 31, 1911, the RMS Titanic, the world's largest and most luxurious ship, was launched from Belfast. Symbolising human ambition and engineering prowess, the ship later sailed into history as one of the biggest tragedies of the 20th century. Let's see what else is waiting to make history with the news menu of India at Bhopal: PM Modi's Ahilyabai MahasammelanPrime Minister Narendra Modi visits Bhopal to mark Ahilyabai Holkar's 300th birth anniversary, addressing a conclave for women empowerment. He releases a 300 commemorative coin and stamp, presents the National Devi Ahilyabai Award, and receives a 'Sindoor Salute' from 15,000 women in sindoor-coloured sarees, honouring Operation Sindoor's Holkar (1725–1795), the revered Maratha queen of Malwa, is known for her administrative reforms, temple restorations, and patronage of arts. She is celebrated as a symbol of women's power and justice. Modi also lays the foundation for 860 crore Kshipra River ghat projects, inaugurates Datia and Satna airports, launches Indore Metro's Yellow Line, and transfers funds for 1,271 Atal Gram Sushasan Bhawans. India Today tracks the event with visuals and Sambar: Operation Shield's Mock DrillsOperation Shield returns with massive mock drills across J&K, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, and Chandigarh to counter cross-border threats. Key events include Amritsar (drill at 6:00–7:00 PM, blackout 8:00–8:30 PM), Baramulla (drill at 1:30 PM at Showkat Ali Stadium, GDC Ground). India Today tracks this robust security push. From 5:00 Biryani: Amit Shah's 2026 Election KickoffadvertisementUnion Home Minister Amit Shah lands in Kolkata for a two-day visit, launching the BJP's 2026 West Bengal Assembly election campaign. His agenda peaks with a Karyakarta Sammelan at Netaji Indoor Stadium on June 1, focusing on Murshidabad's border security, infiltration, and Operation Sindoor's success. India Today tracks Shah's arrival and political developments, assessing the BJP's strategy against the TMC's governance Delight: BJP's 100-Day MilestoneDelhi's Rekha government marks 100 days with a mega event at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, launching the first urban Ayushman Arogya Mandir at Tis Hazari Court complex. India Today unpacks this showcase of the BJP's governance in the Bite: Covid's NB.1.8.1 SurgeThe NB.1.8.1 Omicron subvariant, 1.5 times more contagious, spreads in India and China. Maharashtra reports 84 new cases (467 active), Gujarat 68 (265 active, 11 hospitalised), Karnataka records a third death, and Mizoram sees its first case in seven months. India Today tracks the mild but concerning surge, urging Mix: Floods and Red AlertsHeavy to extremely heavy rainfall batters Northeast India, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, and Sikkim. Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu soaked. Assam's Guwahati faces severe flooding due to Meghalaya runoff, prompting a red alert. Karnataka records its highest May rainfall in 125 years. India Today navigates this monsoon Platter: Congress's Jai Hind SabhaadvertisementAs PM Modi addresses Bhopal, the Congress counters with a 'Jai Hind Sabha' rally in Jabalpur, spotlighting the BJP's alleged failures on governance, inflation, and women's safety. This political face-off tests both parties' strength in Madhya Pradesh. India Today tracks the brewing Idli: Shah, Nadda on Integral HumanismAmit Shah and JP Nadda headline a National Commemorative Seminar on May 31–June 1 at Delhi's NDMC Convention Centre, marking 60 years of Deendayal Upadhyaya's Integral Humanism lectures. The event explores the BJP's ideological roots in today's context. India Today follows this intellectual feast. BJP's ideological roots in today's context. India Today follows this intellectual Sizzler: Kamal Haasan Row EscalatesKamal Haasan's refusal to apologise for claiming 'Kannada was born out of Tamil' fuels outrage. The Karnataka Film Chamber and Kannada Rakshana Vedike demand an apology, threatening to burn theatres if Thug Life releases. Tamil actor Vinothini Vaidyanathan and the South Indian Artistes' Association back Haasan, calling the rage misplaced. India Today covers this linguistic Golgappa: China's Power PlayChina has launched the International Organisation for Mediation (IOMed), the world's first intergovernmental mediation body. Critics see it as a tool to expand China's influence, especially with Pakistan as a founding member. India Today unpacks this geopolitical Dal: Tejas Mk1A BoostThe first indigenous centre fuselage for Tejas Mk1A is handed over to HAL, accelerating production and boosting private sector roles. Shivani Sharma tracks this milestone in India's defence of self-reliance. India Today celebrates the Top Cop Transition: DGP Race Heats UpMay 31 marks DGP Prashant Kumar's last day, potentially the longest-serving UP DGP in 20 years. India Today tracks whether Kumar gets an extension or a new chief takes Achar: Naidu's Global VisionAndhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu envisions Amaravati as a global leadership hub, aiming to rival Davos. India Today explores his bold plan to elevate Andhra's Bite: The Titanic sank on April 15, 1912, after hitting an iceberg, claiming over 1,500 lives. Ironically, Millvina Dean, the last known survivor, died on the very same date the ship was launched– May 31, 2009, at 97–-closing a tragic chapter in maritime history. Sometimes life comes full circle in strange ways.
