Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, May 10: India has claimed that the ceasefire agreement with Pakistan was unconditional and there was no change in India’s position on the diplomatic measures against the neighbouring country, including the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty.
Official sources said the move to negotiate a ceasefire was initiated by Pakistan and pointed to a statement by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who underscored that India has an uncompromising stance against terrorism, which will not change.
The Ministry of Defence, in a press conference after the ceasefire, also emphasised that India had not only fended off three big waves of missile and drone attacks by Pakistan but also caused extensive damage to its air defence systems, making defending its airspace unsustainable. Every Pakistani misadventure, the ministry stressed, has been met with strength and any escalation in the future will also invite a decisive response.
The first announcement of the ceasefire between India and Pakistan – after four days of hostilities – came from US President Donald Trump at 5.35 pm on Saturday. Mr Trump claimed that the cessation of hostilities followed a “long night of talks” mediated by the United States.
Soon after that, however, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said at a press briefing that the Director General of Military Operations of Pakistan had called his Indian counterpart at 3.35 pm and the ceasefire had been agreed upon.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also said military action had ceased, but underlined that India’s uncompromising stance against terrorism would not change. “India and Pakistan have today worked out an understanding on stoppage of firing and military action. India has consistently maintained a firm and uncompromising stance against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. It will continue to do so,” he wrote on X.
