The Crossbill News Desk
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, while briefing the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs on Monday (May 19), clarified that the decision to halt military operations during the recent four-day conflict with Pakistan was taken independently by India and not under external pressure.
His remarks came amid controversy over US President Donald Trump’s claim that he mediated the ceasefire between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
According to reports, Misri told the committee that no third country has any locus standi on matters related to Jammu and Kashmir, firmly rejecting suggestions of foreign mediation.
The briefing, reported by news agency PTI and other sources, was in response to questions raised by opposition members on Trump’s statements about brokering peace during the May conflict.
The military exchange, triggered during Operation Sindoor on May 7, saw Indian forces strike nine targets across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The skirmish involved drones and missile attacks and lasted until May 10. It concluded just as President Trump claimed credit for mediating a truce between the two sides.
In his presentation, Misri emphasised that the conflict remained within the conventional domain, with no signs of nuclear escalation from Pakistan.
However, he cautioned that prospects for improvement in bilateral relations remain bleak. In response to queries from opposition MPs about the possible use of Chinese platforms by Pakistan during the conflict, Misri reportedly stated that it was irrelevant, noting that India had effectively targeted Pakistani air bases.
The committee meeting, chaired by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, was marked by a high attendance of 24 members, which Tharoor described as a record.
“It was a very thorough, wide-ranging discussion,” Tharoor told reporters after the meeting.
Several members expressed concern over recent online trolling aimed at the Foreign Secretary and proposed a resolution condemning it.
“There was a desire on the part of many members to pass a resolution expressing solidarity with the Foreign Secretary,” Tharoor stated.
Misri declined a formal resolution in his support, but Tharoor said the sentiment of solidarity was unanimous across party lines.
"The MEA and the Foreign Secretary himself did not wish there to be such a resolution. We respected it as a group, but we conveyed to you on behalf of all the members, a strong sense of support and solidarity for the Foreign Secretary," Tharoor added.
His remarks came amid controversy over US President Donald Trump’s claim that he mediated the ceasefire between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
According to reports, Misri told the committee that no third country has any locus standi on matters related to Jammu and Kashmir, firmly rejecting suggestions of foreign mediation.
The briefing, reported by news agency PTI and other sources, was in response to questions raised by opposition members on Trump’s statements about brokering peace during the May conflict.
The military exchange, triggered during Operation Sindoor on May 7, saw Indian forces strike nine targets across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The skirmish involved drones and missile attacks and lasted until May 10. It concluded just as President Trump claimed credit for mediating a truce between the two sides.
In his presentation, Misri emphasised that the conflict remained within the conventional domain, with no signs of nuclear escalation from Pakistan.
However, he cautioned that prospects for improvement in bilateral relations remain bleak. In response to queries from opposition MPs about the possible use of Chinese platforms by Pakistan during the conflict, Misri reportedly stated that it was irrelevant, noting that India had effectively targeted Pakistani air bases.
The committee meeting, chaired by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, was marked by a high attendance of 24 members, which Tharoor described as a record.
“It was a very thorough, wide-ranging discussion,” Tharoor told reporters after the meeting.
Several members expressed concern over recent online trolling aimed at the Foreign Secretary and proposed a resolution condemning it.
“There was a desire on the part of many members to pass a resolution expressing solidarity with the Foreign Secretary,” Tharoor stated.
Misri declined a formal resolution in his support, but Tharoor said the sentiment of solidarity was unanimous across party lines.
"The MEA and the Foreign Secretary himself did not wish there to be such a resolution. We respected it as a group, but we conveyed to you on behalf of all the members, a strong sense of support and solidarity for the Foreign Secretary," Tharoor added.
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