Foreign Secretary Briefs Parliamentary Panel on Nuclear Signalling by Pakistan

Vikram Misri rules out US mediation in ceasefire, dismisses Pakistani nuclear threats as psychological warfare; India confirms full autonomy in Op Sindoor response.

May 20, 2025: New Delhi: Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Monday briefed the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, asserting that Pakistan made no nuclear threats during the Operation Sindoor conflict, and clarified that the ceasefire on May 12 was brokered without any third-party, including the United States.

According to sources, Misri told the panel that there was no ‘nuclear signalling’ by Islamabad throughout the four-day confrontation, which began after the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives. Concerns over Pakistan’s nuclear facilities, both military and civilian, being targeted were described as part of a “blackmail narrative” constructed by Islamabad to invoke international pressure.

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India Struck Decisively, Rejected Nuclear Blackmail

Mr Misri emphasized that India’s strikes were focused and effective, notably targeting Pakistani airbases and missile defence systems, including the Chinese-origin HQ-9 batteries in Lahore. “What matters is we hit their air bases hard,” he reportedly said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had previously dismissed nuclear posturing by Islamabad, stating unequivocally that India “will not be intimidated” and that any safe haven for terrorists would be met with precise and resolute action.

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The Indian Air Force also clarified that there was no strike on Kirana Hills, a region alleged to house Pakistani nuclear assets. Air Marshal AK Bharti quipped that he had never even heard of Kirana Hills until media speculation brought it up.

Ceasefire Initiated by Pakistan, Not Mediated by the US

Responding to questions regarding US President Donald Trump’s claims of brokering peace and averting “nuclear war,” Misri told the panel that no mediation occurred. In fact, he stated that the request for ceasefire originated from Pakistan, specifically via a call from its Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) to the Indian counterpart on May 10, after Indian strikes significantly degraded their infrastructure.

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“There was no US involvement in either initiating or finalising the ceasefire,” Misri said, contradicting Trump’s public declarations that he “solved the Kashmir issue.”

The Committee was further assured that India did not offer any trade concessions to the US in return for de-escalation, despite ongoing free trade negotiations with Washington.

Turkish-Azerbaijan Involvement Flagged

The panel also raised concerns over Turkey and Azerbaijan’s support to Pakistan during the conflict. Mr Misri said that Turkey was never a traditional supporter of India, and its recent alignment with Islamabad and Baku — often dubbed the “Three Brothers” alliance — was a growing strategic red flag.

Op Sindoor: From Terror Camps to Air Defence

Operation Sindoor began with precision strikes on nine terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, including the headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, responsible for past attacks in Pulwama and Uri. The offensive then expanded to include air defence maneuvers, with India intercepting and neutralizing a barrage of missiles and drones aimed at military and civilian targets.

India described the campaign as a strategic shift in counter-terrorism — from reactive to proactive — under the doctrine of crossing a threshold of tolerance, followed by decisive retaliation.

To amplify this message globally, seven all-party delegations will soon visit foreign capitals to present India’s stance on terrorism, regional security, and Pakistan’s role as a state sponsor of terror.

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