India-Pakistan Conflict Stayed Conventional; No Nuclear Signaling or US Mediation, Says Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri
- MGMMTeam
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
New Delhi – Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, in a high-level briefing to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, clarified that the recent India-Pakistan conflict from May 7–10, 2025, remained confined to conventional warfare. He also firmly denied any nuclear signaling by Pakistan and dismissed claims of U.S. involvement in the ceasefire process.
Conflict Remained Within Conventional Limits
Misri reassured the panel that the military actions during the brief conflict were entirely conventional. “There was absolutely no nuclear signaling,” he stated, addressing lawmakers' concerns about a possible escalation into nuclear confrontation. The brief conflict was sparked by the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 Indian civilians were killed.
India responded with Operation Sindoor, a calibrated offensive targeting terror infrastructure across the Line of Control in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. According to Misri, Phase 1 of the operation was completed before India informed Pakistan about its intent to cease hostilities.
No Third-Party Involvement in Ceasefire
Misri firmly rejected the assertion by U.S. President Donald Trump that his administration played a mediating role in halting the hostilities. “The decision to cease fire was purely bilateral. No foreign power was involved,” Misri told the panel. He added that no external nation had the "locus standi" to intervene in India’s internal or regional matters, including Kashmir.
The Foreign Secretary also emphasized that direct diplomatic channels between New Delhi and Islamabad were used to finalize the ceasefire and that India continues to favor bilateral mechanisms for conflict resolution with Pakistan.
Use of Chinese-Supplied Platforms by Pakistan
Responding to a question about the weaponry used by Pakistan during the conflict, Misri confirmed that Pakistan had deployed Chinese-supplied military platforms. However, he stressed that their origin was irrelevant given the precision and effectiveness of India's operations. “What matters is our ability to neutralize threats. The source of the platforms does not change the outcome,” he noted.
Policy of Strategic Clarity and Zero Tolerance
Misri reiterated India’s security doctrine of zero tolerance toward terrorism and nuclear coercion. He stressed that India does not distinguish between terrorist groups and the states that sponsor them. “Any threat to our citizens will be met with decisive force,” he said, outlining India’s posture on cross-border terrorism and military provocations.
He also reaffirmed India’s resistance to any form of nuclear blackmail, emphasizing that New Delhi’s approach is rooted in strategic clarity and military preparedness rather than reactive signaling.
Parliament Condemns Online Harassment of Foreign Secretary
A significant portion of the meeting focused on online abuse directed at Misri and his family following the ceasefire announcement. The committee unanimously condemned what it termed “unwarranted and unacceptable” personal attacks on a senior government official engaged in sensitive national service.
Chairman Shashi Tharoor noted that such behavior undermines institutional credibility and called on citizens and political leaders to ensure that diplomats and civil servants are treated with the dignity their roles demand.
Commitment to Peace and Sovereignty
In closing, Misri emphasized that India’s commitment to regional peace is unwavering but is guided by realism and sovereignty. “Our preference is always dialogue, but never under threat,” he told the panel.
His remarks reinforced India's longstanding position that peace with Pakistan must be pursued through direct dialogue, without external interference or escalation into nuclear confrontation.
(Sources: Business Standard, India Today, NDTV)
Comments