Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has publicly acknowledged the United States' role in facilitating the Indo-Pak ceasefire, despite repeated denials by the Indian government and top officials in recent months.
During an interview with a Danish TV channel, Jaishankar admitted that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance were in direct contact with the Indian leadership during heightened tensions with Pakistan earlier in May. He stated that US Secretary of State Marko Rubio had spoken to him personally, while VP JD Vance reached out to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“There was ongoing communication at the highest level… Secretary Rubio was in touch with me, and Vice President Vance contacted the prime minister,” Jaishankar said, reluctantly, during a televised interview.
This statement contradicts earlier positions taken by both the Indian government and the foreign secretary, who had categorically denied any American involvement in the ceasefire agreement.
Congress raises questions over interview
Following the interview, the Congress party released a video clip of the exchange, questioning the government’s credibility. In the footage, Jaishankar appears visibly uncomfortable, stammering and sweating as a foreign journalist brings up the topic of Operation Sindoor.
“Why is the foreign minister’s language failing him? Why the hesitation, why the sweat?” the Congress party posted on social media, amplifying doubts about the government’s transparency.
Rahul Gandhi, in a separate statement, asked tough questions:
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“Who invited the US president to mediate?”
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“Why has not a single major country voiced support for us?”
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“Why is the Modi government still silent on these issues?”
