Jaishankar Parliament speech: In a powerful statement delivered in Parliament, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar firmly clarified that India’s decision to agree to a ceasefire with Pakistan was made solely after a formal request from Islamabad, not due to any pressure or brokering by the United States.
The clarification comes in the wake of repeated claims by former US President Donald Trump that he brokered peace between the two nuclear-armed neighbours—claims the Indian government has consistently dismissed.
US Warning, Indian Response
During his address, Jaishankar recounted a critical moment when US Vice President JD Vance contacted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 9, alerting him about a potential massive Pakistani military strike. PM Modi, according to Jaishankar, responded decisively, making it clear that India would retaliate with full force if provoked.
Indeed, the attack did occur between the night of May 9 and 10, but was swiftly foiled by the Indian Armed Forces. Jaishankar stated that India delivered a “devastating” response, citing satellite imagery of damaged Pakistani airfields that had gone viral globally, underlining the effectiveness of India’s counter-strike.
No US Mediation, No Trade Links
Dismissing any suggestion of US interference, Jaishankar made it clear:
“At no stage in any conversation with the US was there any linkage with trade in what was going on. Secondly, there was no call between the Prime Minister and President Trump between April 22 and June 17.”
This directly contradicts President Trump’s repeated assertions about playing peacemaker between India and Pakistan.
Formal Pakistani Request Initiated Ceasefire
Jaishankar emphasized that India only considered a ceasefire after receiving diplomatic indications that Pakistan wished to halt hostilities. However, the Modi government insisted that any such intent must be conveyed formally through the DGMO (Director General of Military Operations) channel—a protocol that was eventually followed by Pakistan.
Opposition Uproar and Shah’s Rebuttal
Jaishankar’s remarks sparked sharp protests from Opposition MPs, who questioned the government’s motives and timing. In response, Union Home Minister Amit Shah took a strong stand, questioning why Opposition leaders placed more trust in foreign leaders over Indian ministers.
“Why do you place more faith in a foreign leader’s claim than in our own External Affairs Minister?” Shah thundered across the floor of the House.
Jaishankar Slams Opposition’s Double Standards
Hitting back at critics questioning why India didn’t continue its retaliation further, Jaishankar fired a pointed remark:
“Who is asking why we stopped? These are the same people who after 26/11 felt that the best action was inaction.”
He further criticized the 2009 India-Pakistan joint statement in Sharm-el-Sheikh, signed during the UPA era under PM Manmohan Singh, which controversially referenced Balochistan and, according to Jaishankar, hyphenated India and Pakistan diplomatically.
“Today people are saying America is hyphenating you, Russia is hyphenating you. But you [Opposition] hyphenated India-Pakistan yourself,” Jaishankar stated bluntly.
India’s Strikes on Terror Hubs
Highlighting the government’s strong and clear response, Jaishankar revealed that Indian retaliatory strikes targeted and destroyed terror infrastructure in Bahawalpur and Muridke—areas known to house extremist outfits.
“People who did nothing then have the temerity today to question a government that did so much,” he concluded.
Jaishankar’s Parliament speech not only reaffirmed India’s independent decision-making in matters of national security but also exposed false narratives of foreign intervention. The government’s clear stance, backed by decisive military action, signals a new era where India responds with strength and clarity while upholding its sovereign authority.