“The firing was then started by the Pakistani military. We fired back in self-defense and once the Pakistanis understood that they were taking a harmful course, we were able to stop firing,” he said.”This situation has not changed for two weeks, that is the status,” he said on the May 10 understanding reached between Indian and Pakistani militaries on stopping military actions.To a question on whether the US should be thanked for helping firm up the understanding, Jaishankar said it was agreed between the military commanders of India and Pakistan through “direct contact”.He said India effectively hit and incapacitated Pakistan’s main airbases and air defence systems that forced the neighbouring country to seek ending of the hostilities.”So who should I thank for the cessation of hostilities? I thank the Indian military because it was the Indian military action that made Pakistan say: We are ready to stop,” he said.On whether China played a role in India’s conflict with Pakistan, Jaishankar only referred to Chinese-origin weapons in Pakistani military’s armoury.”Many of the weapons systems that Pakistan has are of Chinese origin and the two countries are very close. You can draw your own conclusions from that,” he said.Under Operation Sindoor, India carried out precision strikes on nine terror infrastructures early on May 7 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.Following the Indian action, Pakistan attempted to attack Indian military bases on May 8, 9 and 10.The Pakistani attempts were strongly responded to by the Indian side.Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on May 10 announced that India and Pakistan reached an understanding to stop all firings and military actions on land, air and sea, with immediate effect.Asked why India and Germany have not been able to reconcile their positions on Russia’s war in Ukraine notwithstanding their strategic ties, Jaishankar did not give a direct reply.”For you in Europe, other concerns and worries are important than for me in Asia. When you think of conflict, you think of Ukraine,” he said.”When I think of conflict, I think of Pakistan, terrorism, China and our borders. Our perspective cannot be the same,” he added.
Source link
