What Led to the India-Pakistan Ceasefire? Insights from External Affairs Minister Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar sheds light on the recent ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, emphasizing that it was achieved through direct negotiations. He warns of India's readiness to respond to future terrorist threats and discusses the implications of security on economic growth. Jaishankar's remarks provide a deeper understanding of the ongoing tensions and the diplomatic efforts involved in maintaining peace in the region. Discover more about the complexities of these negotiations and India's strategic stance.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 22, 2025, 16:07 IST

Ceasefire Negotiations Between India and Pakistan

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has clarified that the recent agreement between India and Pakistan to halt hostilities was achieved through direct discussions between the two nations. This statement comes in light of claims made by former US President Donald Trump, who suggested that the United States facilitated the ceasefire.

Jaishankar emphasized that India remains prepared to retaliate against any future terrorist attacks originating from Pakistan, referencing the recent incident in Pahalgam as a catalyst for ongoing military operations. He indicated that the government is resolute in its stance: "If such an attack occurs, we will respond."

During an interview with a Dutch media outlet, Jaishankar, who is currently on a diplomatic tour across the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany, stated, "The operation continues because there is a clear message in that operation - if there are acts of the kind we saw on April 22, there will be a response, that we will hit the terrorists."

He further elaborated, "If the terrorists are in Pakistan, we will target them directly. Continuing the operation sends a message, but it does not equate to engaging in direct fire with each other."

Operation Sindoor, which involved precision strikes on nine terrorist facilities, was executed on May 7 in retaliation for the Pahalgam attack. Following this, Pakistan attempted to strike Indian military installations on May 8, 9, and 10, but these efforts were met with strong counteractions from India.

On May 10, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced that both nations had reached an agreement to cease all military actions across land, air, and sea immediately.

Jaishankar noted that the cessation of hostilities was a result of negotiations between Indian and Pakistani officials. He remarked, "When two countries are in conflict, it is natural for others to express their concerns. However, the agreement to stop firing was directly negotiated between us and Pakistan."

He added, "We made it clear to all parties, including the US, that if Pakistan wanted to cease hostilities, they needed to communicate that to us directly. Their general had to reach out to our general, and that is precisely what transpired."

Despite Trump's assertions of having brokered the ceasefire, Jaishankar reiterated that the agreement was a product of direct negotiations.

Describing the Pahalgam attack as "barbaric," Jaishankar condemned the terrorists for targeting innocent civilians based on their faith, aiming to incite religious discord. He stated, "It was crucial for us to respond; failing to do so was not an option in such circumstances."

Jaishankar expressed India's openness to dialogue with Pakistan regarding the return of the illegally occupied territories in Kashmir and issues related to terrorism.

When questioned about security threats from China and Pakistan affecting India's economic growth, Jaishankar asserted that security and economic prosperity are interconnected. He stated, "Our security challenges are significantly more severe than those faced in Europe. Therefore, we must prioritize security. You cannot choose between security and economic growth; they are two sides of the same coin."