Things got pretty heated in the Lok Sabha on Monday, July 28, 2025. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar took the floor to discuss the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, and he didn't mince words. He systematically dismantled claims made by former US President Donald Trump about his supposed role in brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, setting the record straight on a number of swirling rumors.
Key Highlights
- ✓ EAM S. Jaishankar flatly denied any conversation between PM Modi and Donald Trump between April 22 and June 17.
- ✓ The India-Pakistan ceasefire on May 10 was initiated by a hotline call from Pakistan's DGMO, not US intervention.
- ✓ India has repeatedly rejected offers of third-party mediation on the Jammu-Kashmir issue.
- ✓ MP Asaduddin Owaisi questioned the government's decision to play cricket with Pakistan in the Asia Cup.
- ✓ Out of 193 UN countries, only three did not support India's stance against the terrorists behind the Pahalgam attack.
Setting the Record Straight: Jaishankar on Trump's Claims
For a while now, Donald Trump has been making repeated claims that he single-handedly prevented a war between India and Pakistan by threatening to halt trade. Well, Jaishankar put those claims to bed in no uncertain terms. He made it crystal clear that there was absolutely no communication between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the former US President during the most critical period.
"Between April 22 (the date of the Pahalgam terrorist attack) and June 17 (the date the ceasefire was announced), there was no conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump," Jaishankar stated directly in Parliament. This completely undercuts the narrative Trump has been pushing. So, if the US didn't broker the deal, how did the ceasefire come about? Jaishankar clarified that too. The announcement came on May 10, but only after Pakistan's DGMO (Director General of Military Operations) reached out to his Indian counterpart via the hotline to appeal for it.
The Real Story of the May 9 Phone Call
While Trump wasn't on the line with the PM, another high-level American official was. Jaishankar revealed that he was personally present when US Vice President Judd Vance called Prime Minister Modi on May 9. According to the External Affairs Minister, the US VP warned that Pakistan was preparing for an attack. The Prime Minister's response was firm and unambiguous.
PM Modi told the US Vice President that if Pakistan tried anything, it would be met with a "resounding reply." Jaishankar stressed that even during this conversation, there was no talk of linking trade with the military situation. India's position has always been clear: matters of national security and trade are not bargaining chips. This paints a picture of a confident India, ready to defend itself, rather than one being influenced by external pressures.
A Diplomatic Masterstroke at the UN
Beyond just refuting claims, Jaishankar highlighted India's major diplomatic victories on the global stage. Following the tragic Pahalgam attack, India's goal was to isolate the perpetrators and ensure justice for the victims' families. The challenge was that Pakistan is a member of the Security Council, but India's foreign policy prevailed.
He shared a stunning statistic: out of 193 member nations in the United Nations, a whopping 190 condemned the terrorist attack and supported action against those responsible. Only three countries stood in opposition. Jaishankar also pointed to the US designating the TRF as a global terrorist organization and the successful extradition of 26/11 plotter Tahawwur Rana from the US as direct results of the government's effective foreign policy.
The Cricket Conundrum: A New Controversy Brews
Just as one fire was being put out, another one was lit right there in the Lok Sabha. AIMIM Member of Parliament, Asaduddin Owaisi, raised some sharp questions about the government's consistency. He pointed to the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, scheduled from September 9 to 28 in the UAE, where India is set to play against Pakistan.
Owaisi reminded the house of the Prime Minister's own powerful words: "blood and water cannot flow together." He then asked, if that's the case, and if India has cut off trade, then why is the country going to play a cricket match with Pakistan? He expressed his personal anguish, stating, "My conscience does not permit me to watch that match." He questioned whether the government could face the families of the 25 soldiers who died in Operation Sindoor and ask them to watch the game.
He also raised concerns about accountability for the Pahalgam attack, questioning how terrorists managed to infiltrate when India has 7.5 lakh army and paramilitary forces in the region. Owaisi's passionate speech added a complex and emotional layer to the debate, highlighting the deep-seated feelings that surround any engagement with Pakistan, be it diplomatic or on the cricket field.
India's Unwavering Stance on Kashmir and Terrorism
Throughout the discussion, the Indian government's core policy remained steadfast. India has firmly and repeatedly rejected any and all offers of third-party "mediation" regarding Jammu & Kashmir. The message from New Delhi is loud and clear: this is a bilateral issue.
In fact, Jaishankar reiterated that if there's any issue to be discussed with Pakistan concerning Jammu & Kashmir, it is only one: the return of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). This assertive stance leaves no room for ambiguity. The bottom line, as emphasized by the minister, is that India will not tolerate terrorist activities on its soil and reserves the full right to protect its citizens and its sovereignty, a principle that guides its actions on every front.
Conclusion
The debate in the Lok Sabha offered a rare and candid glimpse into India's diplomatic and strategic thinking. S. Jaishankar not only corrected the public record regarding Donald Trump's grandiose claims but also showcased India's diplomatic strength on the world stage. Meanwhile, the pointed questions from Asaduddin Owaisi about the upcoming cricket match prove that for many, the relationship with Pakistan is far more than just politics—it's deeply personal and emotional. Ultimately, the session painted a picture of a nation that is clear in its foreign policy, assertive in its national security, and still grappling with the complex realities of its relationship with its neighbor.
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