NEW DELHI – In a scorching session of the Rajya Sabha, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar delivered a powerful and direct message to the Opposition, firmly refuting their insinuations regarding a phone call between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump during "Operation Sindoor," India's military response to the Pahalgam terror attack. With the emphatic phrase, "Main unko kehna chahta hoon, woh kaan kholke sun le... ek bhi phone call President Trump aur PM Modi ke beech mein nahi hua (I want to tell them, listen carefully; not a single phone call took place between President Trump and PM Modi)," Jaishankar sought to put an end to persistent speculation about foreign mediation.
The Minister's strong remarks came amidst the Opposition's repeated questioning of the government's stance, particularly in light of President Trump's assertions of having brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Jaishankar categorically denied any such communication between the two leaders during the critical period from April 22, the day of the Pahalgam attack, to June 16.
Jaishankar reiterated India's consistent and unwavering position against any third-party mediation in matters concerning India and Pakistan. He stressed that any dialogue or resolution between the two nations would strictly be bilateral. The Minister clarified that when Operation Sindoor commenced, India conveyed the same unequivocal message to all countries that inquired about the situation: that India was exercising its right to defend itself, and there was no room for mediation. He emphasized that if Pakistan wished to halt hostilities, the request had to come formally through the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) channel, which is precisely how the ceasefire was eventually agreed upon.
Furthermore, Jaishankar used the opportunity to critique the Congress party's historical approach to sensitive national security issues, including its handling of the Indus Water Treaty. He suggested that the Opposition often preferred to forget inconvenient historical facts that do not align with their political narratives.
The External Affairs Minister's fiery response in Parliament underscored the government's resolve to maintain strategic autonomy and project a strong image of India's independent foreign policy. His direct rebuttal aimed not only to clarify the facts surrounding the Trump-Modi call but also to challenge the Opposition's attempts to undermine the government's actions during a critical national security operation, reinforcing the message that India dictates its own response to terror.
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