Jaishankar on Operation Sindoor: 'It is clear who wanted cessation of firing'

Amid a raging controversy on the alleged US brokered truce between India and Pakistan, as claimed by President Donald Trump, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday (May 15) said that now it was clear who had approached for a ceasefire.

Jaishankar said satellite pictures have made it totally clear how much damage was inflicted by the Indian and Pakistani militaries on each other.

Who wanted ceasefire?

Pointing out Pakistan’s rigid stance at the beginning of the hostilities following Operation Sindoor, the minister said that “the same people who were unwilling to step aside on May 7, were willing to stand down and talk on May 10 after getting badly hit. So it was clear who wanted the cessation of firing.”

Jaishankar explained that since India’s goal of destroying terrorist infrastructure was achieved after Operation Sindoor, it was logical to consider the proposition of a ceasefire.

Also Read: India-Pak ceasefire preceded by Trump's claim, reports of de-escalation

Option to Pak military

"We achieved the goals which we set out to do by destroying the terrorist infrastructure. Since key goals were achieved, I think we reasonably took the position, because even at the start of the operation, we had sent a message to Pakistan saying we are striking at terrorist infrastructure and not military and the military has an option to stand out and not interfere,” he added.

Indo-US trade talks

As for Trump’s claim that the ceasefire agreement was achieved on his promise of trade, Jaishankar said that trade talks were going on between India and US, adding that since these were complicated negotiations, nothing can be decided till everything is in.

“Any trade deal has to be mutually beneficial; it has to work for both countries. That would be our expectation from the trade deal. Until that is done, any judgment on it would be premature,” he added.

Also Read: India's approach measured, responsible: Jaishankar to Rubio

'Strictly bilateral ties with Pak'

Jaishankar also said that India’s relationship with Pakistan was “strictly bilateral” adding that there is no change in India’s stand.

"Our relations and dealings with Pakistan will be strictly bilateral. That is a national consensus for years, and there is absolutely no change in that. The Prime Minister made it very clear that talks with Pakistan will be only on terror. Pakistan has a list of terrorists that needs to be handed over, and they have to shut down the terror infrastructure. They know what to do. We are prepared to discuss with them what is to be done about terrorism. Those are the talks which are feasible," he added.

Also Read: ‘De-escalate tensions’: What Marco Rubio told Jaishankar, Pak PM over phone

Indus Water Treaty’s future

As for the Indus Water Treaty, the Union Minister said that it would be continued to be held in abeyance until Pakistan credibly stops supporting cross-border terrorism.

"The Indus Waters Treaty is held in abeyance and will continue to be held in abeyance until the cross-border terrorism by Pakistan is credibly and irrevocably stopped... The only thing which remains to be discussed on Kashmir is the vacating of illegally occupied Indian territory in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir; we are open to that discussion," he said.