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Military Tensions and Trade Talks

The Ministry of External Affairs clarified on Tuesday that trade was not a topic of discussion during recent talks with the United States regarding the escalating military situation between India and Pakistan.

This statement followed claims made by US President Donald Trump, who asserted that he pressured both nations into agreeing to a ceasefire by threatening to halt trade. He emphasized that his administration facilitated a 'full and immediate ceasefire' between the two countries.

Trump also mentioned that his administration played a crucial role in averting a potential nuclear conflict.

“It could have led to a catastrophic nuclear war,” Trump stated, suggesting that millions could have lost their lives.

During a press briefing, India's External Affairs Ministry spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, noted that discussions between Indian and US leaders occurred from the onset of Operation Sindoor on May 7 until an agreement to cease military actions was reached.

“Trade was not mentioned in any of these discussions,” Jaiswal confirmed.

Addressing Trump's nuclear war speculation, Jaiswal stated that India's military actions were strictly conventional.

“There were reports that the Pakistan National Command Authority would convene on May 10, but this was later denied,” he added, noting that the Pakistani foreign minister had publicly dismissed any nuclear concerns.

“India firmly maintains that it will not succumb to nuclear threats or permit cross-border terrorism to be justified by such claims,” he remarked. “We have warned various nations that endorsing such scenarios could backfire in their own regions.”

On Saturday, both India and Pakistan reached an agreement to cease all hostilities.

India's Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, revealed that the Pakistani military operations director contacted his Indian counterpart at 3:35 PM on Saturday to propose an end to the ongoing skirmishes.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated this stance in his address to the nation on Monday.

The announcement from the Indian foreign secretary came shortly after Trump claimed on social media that India and Pakistan had consented to a ceasefire, asserting that the discussions were mediated by the US.

“After extensive negotiations facilitated by the United States, I am happy to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE,” Trump stated on social media. “Congratulations to both nations for exercising common sense and intelligence. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also claimed on social media that New Delhi and Islamabad had agreed to “initiate discussions on a wide range of issues at a neutral location.”

“We commend Prime Ministers [Narendra Modi] and [Shehbaz] Sharif for their wisdom and statesmanship in choosing the path of peace,” Rubio remarked.

However, the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting clarified that the decision to halt hostilities was made directly between the two nations.

“There is no agreement to discuss any other issues at any other venue,” the ministry added.

The tensions between India and Pakistan escalated on May 7 when the Indian military conducted strikes, known as Operation Sindoor, targeting what it identified as terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

This military action was a response to a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that resulted in 26 fatalities on April 22.

The Pakistan Army retaliated by shelling Indian villages along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.

On Sunday, the Indian military reported that over 100 terrorists were eliminated during the May 7 strikes.