External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has firmly stated in the Lok Sabha that trade was never linked to discussions with the United States during Operation Sindoor, India's response to the terror attack in Pahalgam. He dismissed claims made by former US President Donald Trump, who had suggested that trade negotiations played a role in brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan.

During a special discussion in the Lok Sabha on Operation Sindoor, Jaishankar clarified that "at no stage in any conversation with the US was there any linkage with trade and what was going on". He emphasized that India's position remained consistent and clear throughout the conflict. India's actions were focused, measured, and non-escalatory, with a commitment to holding those responsible for the attacks accountable.

Jaishankar addressed the narrative surrounding ceasefire negotiations, explaining that the halt in hostilities occurred after Pakistan reached out through official military channels. He stated that on May 10th, India received calls indicating Pakistan's readiness to cease fighting, and India insisted on receiving a formal request through the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) channel, which is how the request was eventually conveyed.

The External Affairs Minister directly refuted Trump's assertion that trade pressure led to the ceasefire. He noted that there were no calls between the Indian Prime Minister and President Trump between April 22nd, when Trump offered condolences, and June 17th, when Trump called the Prime Minister, who was in Canada.

Jaishankar described India's diplomatic preparations for Operation Sindoor, stating that the aim was to create a narrative and prepare the diplomacy for the operation's launch. He highlighted that, as a result of this diplomacy, only three nations besides Pakistan opposed Operation Sindoor out of the 190 member nations of the UN.

Furthermore, Jaishankar defended India's global outreach following the Pahalgam attack, asserting that the international community overwhelmingly backed India. He cited statements from international groupings such as the Quad and BRICS, the US listing of terror group TRF, and the UNSC condemnation of the attack as evidence of global support. These actions, according to Jaishankar, served to dismiss claims that India had been hyphenated with Pakistan.

Jaishankar also addressed concerns raised by opposition members regarding the success of Indian foreign policy. He stated that India's objectives in engaging with the global community were to ensure zero tolerance for terrorism and to emphasize the right to defend its people against cross-border terrorism. He reiterated the UNSC condemnation of the Pahalgam attack, which called for holding the perpetrators accountable, and highlighted that only three countries, besides Pakistan, opposed India's strikes on terror camps in Pakistan.

In addition to addressing the issue of trade with the US, Jaishankar also discussed his visit to China following the Pahalgam attack, clarifying that his purpose was to clearly communicate India's position on de-escalation, trade restrictions, and terrorism. He also addressed the IMF loan package approved for Pakistan and Pakistan being on the FATF grey list.