New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar today asserted in the Lok Sabha that there was no talk between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump between April 22 and June 17, amid continuing claims by President Trump that he stopped the conflict between India and Pakistan.
In his remarks to the Lok Sabha on a special discussion on Operation Sindoor, the EAM said:
“….at no stage, in any conversation with the United States, was there any linkage with trade and what was going on. Secondly, there was no talk between the Prime Minister and President Trump from the 22nd of April when President Trump called up to convey his sympathy, and the 17th of June, when he called up Prime Minister in Canada to explain why he could not meet.”
He also took on the opposition parties, asking if any of them had ever imagined that terror hubs like Bahawalpur and Muridke could be hit the way they were.
“So, today when I hear many questions from across the aisle, I want to say – which one of you imagined that Bahawalpur and Muridke would be brought down the way it was? Which one of you thought, when did you even think of it during your tenure, did it even cross your mind.
“In fact, on the contrary, you ruled it out after 26/11. So, I think our objectives were very clear. We wanted to send a message to the terrorists, we wanted to send a message to Pakistan, that do not continue this support for terrorism, and I think on the morning of 7th of May, that message went home loud and clear.”
Jaishankar said Operation Sindoor reflects a new normal in India’s anti-terror response:
“I want Sir to conclude by saying this. The challenge of cross-border terrorism continues but Operation Sindoor marks a new phase. There is now a new normal. The new normal has five points:
● One, terrorists will not be treated as proxies.
● Two, Cross-border terrorism will get an appropriate response.
● Three, Terror and talks are not possible together. There will only be talks on terror.
● Four, Not yielding to nuclear blackmail.
● And finally, Terror and good neighbourliness cannot coexist. Blood and water cannot flow together.
