India–Pakistan Ceasefire Claims: Shashi Tharoor Rejects Trump’s Mediation Assertion
| 2025-05-24
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Shashi Tharoor refutes Donald Trump's claims of mediating India–Pakistan ceasefire, asserting no formal process took place. India sends all-party delegation to US.
Speaking ahead of an all-party parliamentary delegation’s departure to the United States, Tharoor said the Indian government had only shared updates with foreign leaders and that there was no official involvement by any third party in the cessation of recent hostilities.
Tharoor: No Formal Mediation
Congress Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor, who is leading the cross-party delegation, stated that during the crisis following Operation Sindoor, India maintained communication with international counterparts but did not seek or accept mediation.
“You’re aware of our government’s stand very clearly,” Tharoor told the press on Friday. “There’s been no formal process of mediation, either requested or conducted. You call me, I tell you what I’m doing and why I’m doing it, and that’s it. Then if you want to go and repeat that to somebody else… is that called mediation? I don’t think so. Not in my vocabulary.”
Tharoor was referring to claims made by Donald Trump earlier this week. In a post on his social media platform, Trump stated, “After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE.” He later added that the ceasefire was facilitated through trade discussions and conversations with both nations.
Background: Operation Sindoor and Regional Escalation
Tensions between India and Pakistan surged following a deadly terror attack in the town of Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir on 22 April, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians. India responded with a military operation—Operation Sindoor—that targeted nine militant camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
In retaliation, Pakistan reportedly attempted drone incursions targeting Indian border cities and resumed shelling along the Line of Control, a de facto border separating the two countries in the Kashmir region.
The escalation prompted widespread international concern. India’s Ministry of External Affairs stated that several foreign ministers had reached out for updates, and these conversations were marked by consistent messaging from New Delhi.
Delegation Departs for United States
The multi-party delegation led by Tharoor includes representatives from several Indian political parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena, Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas (LJP-RV), and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), among others.
Members of the delegation include BJP MPs Shashank Mani Tripathi, Bhubaneshwar Kalita, and Tejasvi Surya; Shiv Sena’s Milind Deora; and former Indian ambassador to the United States, Taranjit Sandhu.
The group will travel not only to the United States but also to Guyana, Colombia, Panama, and Brazil, as part of India’s international outreach effort aimed at explaining its counterterrorism actions and defending its stance on regional security.
Tharoor, addressing the media before departure, said: “We are prepared, everyone understands the situation, and we are heading in that spirit. We will speak with one voice.”
He added that while political debate is normal in domestic settings, foreign policy messaging requires unity: “Internal party politics has its place, but on the global stage, we represent the country.”
Context: Ceasefire and Diplomatic Narratives
While Trump has previously made high-profile claims about involvement in South Asian diplomacy—including assertions of readiness to mediate in the Kashmir dispute—Indian officials have consistently denied any third-party role in sensitive regional matters.
India has historically maintained a position against foreign mediation in its bilateral issues with Pakistan, citing the 1972 Simla Agreement, which states that such matters should be resolved bilaterally.
Tharoor’s remarks reaffirm India’s longstanding diplomatic approach, underscoring that global outreach efforts are focused on clarity, not negotiation.
Looking Ahead
The delegation’s US visit is expected to include meetings with policymakers, think tanks, and diaspora groups to present India’s perspective on its counterterrorism strategy and recent military actions.
In accepting the role, Tharoor posted on social media: “When the national interest is involved, and my services are required, I will not be found wanting. Jai Hind!”
As the international community continues to observe developments in South Asia closely, India’s delegation seeks to ensure that its narrative is clearly conveyed and understood across capitals.
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