No Nuclear Signaling from Pakistan, Says Foreign Secretary
In a high-level briefing to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri clarified that there was no nuclear signaling from Pakistan during the recent military tensions with India. Misri’s comments come amid speculation surrounding the potential for escalation following Operation Sindoor and the retaliatory cross-border exchanges that followed the Pahalgam terror attack.
Ceasefire Was Bilateral, Not Brokered
Misri categorically denied claims of foreign intervention in bringing about the May 10 ceasefire between India and Pakistan. He dismissed media narratives and opposition queries suggesting the involvement of a third party, such as former U.S. President Donald Trump.
He stated that the decision to pause hostilities was the result of direct military-to-military communication between the two nations’ Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs), affirming, “It was a bilateral decision reached without any external mediation.”
This clarification is significant amid attempts by certain international and domestic commentators to portray the ceasefire as externally imposed or influenced.
Operation Sindoor Met Its Strategic Objectives
Foreign Secretary Misri also reassured the committee that India’s military objectives under Operation Sindoor were successfully accomplished. The operation, launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, targeted key Pakistani military assets, including airbases housing Chinese-origin HQ-9 missile systems.
According to Misri, “The operation demonstrated India’s precision capabilities and ability to neutralize high-value targets within a short span.” He added that India’s decision to pause further strikes was based on confidence that the mission had delivered its intended results.
This statement also counters opposition claims that India stopped short of finishing the job due to pressure or fear of escalation.
No Disclosure on Indian Losses
When questioned about possible losses on the Indian side, including aircraft casualties during the operation, Misri declined to provide specific figures, citing national security reasons. He emphasized that operational secrecy and strategic ambiguity were necessary to safeguard ongoing defence preparedness.
Opposition members also raised concerns over Pakistan’s deployment of Chinese weapon platforms. In response, Misri noted that India was fully aware of Pakistan’s equipment inventory and had already accounted for such threats in its mission planning. “Regardless of whether the threats came from Chinese, Turkish, or indigenous systems, our forces were prepared and executed accordingly,” he assured.
