Shashi Tharoor, a prominent Congress MP, has recently addressed former US President Donald Trump's repeated claims of brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, stating that India did not require any persuasion to halt hostilities. This statement comes in the wake of Trump's assertions that he played a key role in bringing about a ceasefire agreement between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, even suggesting that he averted a major nuclear crisis.
Tharoor, who led an all-party delegation to Brazil to highlight India's stance on recent events, firmly refuted Trump's claims. He clarified that if any persuasion was indeed involved, it would have been directed towards Pakistan, as India was already inclined to de-escalate the conflict. "No one needed to persuade us to stop. We had already said to stop," Tharoor stated, emphasizing India's commitment to peace and development. He added, "If there was any persuasion by the American president or his senior officials, it would have been persuasion of the Pakistanis. They would have had to be persuaded. We don't need to be persuaded because we don't want war."
Trump has repeatedly taken credit for the ceasefire, claiming to have offered increased trade to both nations in exchange for cessation of hostilities. He has portrayed himself as a key mediator who stepped in to prevent a catastrophic escalation. However, Tharoor's remarks and other reports suggest a different narrative.
The recent tensions between India and Pakistan followed India's "Operation Sindoor," which was launched in response to a terror attack in Pahalgam that resulted in the deaths of numerous civilians. The operation targeted terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), leading to cross-border exchanges and heightened military activity. While intense fighting ensued for several days, a ceasefire understanding was reached on May 10, with both countries agreeing to cease military actions on land, sea, and air.
Tharoor clarified that India had maintained from the outset that it was not interested in prolonging the conflict. "This is not the opening salvo in some sort of war. All it is retribution against the terrorists, period. If Pakistan had not reacted, we wouldn't have reacted," he asserted. This statement underscores India's position that its actions were a measured response to terrorism and not an indication of a desire for broader conflict.
While acknowledging the respect India holds for the American presidency, Tharoor also pointed out that India's understanding of the situation "is a bit different" from the narrative being presented by Trump. He suggested that Trump's claims might be motivated by a desire to take credit for a positive outcome.
Furthermore, Tharoor addressed the challenge of conveying India's perspective to the American public, noting the crowded media landscape. He emphasized the importance of reaching out to those who are interested in South Asia, India, and the issue of terrorism to effectively communicate India's message.
In conclusion, Shashi Tharoor's statements serve to clarify India's position on the recent ceasefire with Pakistan and to counter claims that external persuasion was necessary to bring about the cessation of hostilities. According to Tharoor, India's commitment to peace and its focus on development were the primary drivers behind its decision to halt military actions.
