There was no nuclear signalling
New Delhi: Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri told a parliamentary committee on Monday that India's conflict with Pakistan was always in the conventional domain and there was 'no nuclear signalling' by the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
According to sources, Vikram Misri, who led the Centre's briefing on India's 'Operation Sindoor' on Monday, reiterated that the decision to arrive at a ceasefire understanding was reached at a bilateral level as panel members raised repeated assertions by the United States on its role in stopping the four day-long military conflict.
The DGMOs of the two countries reached an understanding on halting all military actions on May 10.
The diplomat also asserted that Pakistan's use of Chinese-made weapon platforms 'did not matter' as the Indian armed forces managed to 'hammer' the neighbouring country's air bases while retaliating to Pakistan's escalatory attempts to target Indian military installations and civilian areas, the above-mentioned sources said.
The meeting of Parliament's Standing Committee on External Affairs, chaired by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, was attended by a number of lawmakers, including the TMC's Abhishek Banerjee, the Congress' Rajeev Shukla and Deepender Hooda, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, and the BJP's Aparajita Sarangi and Arun Govil.
Earlier, India's armed forces rejected reports of India hitting nuclear facilities at Kirana hills using loitering and penetrating munitions.
Director General of Air Operations, Air Marshal AK Bharti, confirmed during a press conference that the Indian armed forces did not target the nuclear facility at Kirana Hills. 'Thank you for telling us that Kirana Hills houses some nuclear installation. We did not know about it. And we have not hit Kirana Hills, whatever is there,' he said in response to a reporter's question.
Vikram Misri's clarification of 'no nuclear signalling' assumes significance as some Pakistani ministers and officials repeatedly pointed out to the country's nuclear arsenal as tensions ran high before the four-day conflict.
Pakistan's ambassador to Russia, Muhammad Khalid Jamali, had said in an interview that his country will use its 'full spectrum of power, both conventional and nuclear', if attacked by India over the Pahalgam terror attack.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
32 minutes ago
- NDTV
India Remains A Very Strategic Ally In Asia Pacific: US
Washington: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt praised India's role as a strategic ally in the Indo-Pacific region during a press briefing on Monday (US local time). She also highlighted the strong personal relationship between US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Responding to a question from ANI about how the US views China's influence in the Indo-Pacific region, Leavitt said, "India remains a very strategic ally in the Asia Pacific and the President has a very good relationship with Prime Minister Modi, and he will continue to have that." The comments come as External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is currently in the United States to attend the QUAD Foreign Ministers' Meeting. On Monday, he inaugurated an exhibition at the United Nations titled "The Human Cost of Terrorism," which aims to draw global attention to state-sponsored terrorism. The QUAD is a diplomatic partnership between Australia, India, Japan, and the United States. It is committed to supporting an open, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific that is inclusive and resilient. The grouping's origin traces back to the joint humanitarian response to the December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Earlier, on June 18, it was confirmed that US President Donald Trump accepted Prime Minister Modi's invitation to attend the upcoming QUAD Summit in New Delhi later this year. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had shared details of the phone conversation that took place between the two leaders on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada. "For the next meeting of QUAD, PM Modi invited President Trump to India. While accepting the invitation, President Trump said that he is excited to come to India," Mr Misri said in a video message. The White House spokesperson's remarks on India's importance in the Indo-Pacific came shortly after she addressed another ANI question about a possible trade deal between India and the US. Addressing the media, Leavitt said, "Yes, the President said that last week (that the US and India are very close to a trade deal), and it remains true. I just spoke to our Secretary of Commerce about it. He was in the Oval Office with the President. They are finalising these agreements, and you'll hear from the President and his trade team very soon when it comes to India."
Mint
32 minutes ago
- Mint
White House confirms US-India trade deal very close: ‘You'll hear from President Trump soon'
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Monday (US local time) confirmed that the United States and India are close to finalising a trade agreementeal. Her comments came shortly after Trump voiced optimism about finalising the trade pact with India. "The President said that last week (that the US and India are very close to a trade deal), and it remains true. I just spoke to our Secretary of Commerce about it. He was in the Oval Office with the President. They are finalising these agreements, and you'll hear from the President and his trade team very soon when it comes to India," Leavitt said at a press briefing, as reported by ANI. Earlier, while speaking about reciprocal tariffs, President Trump stated that the US is pushing for a "full trade barrier dropping" and greater access to the Indian market, though he admitted uncertainty about achieving that goal."India, I think we are going to reach a deal where we have the right to go and do trade. Right now, it's restricted. You can't walk in there, you can't even think about it. We are looking to get a full trade barrier dropping, which is unthinkable and I am not sure that that is going to happen. But as of this moment, we agree that going to India and trade..." Trump said. During the briefing, Leavitt also praised India's role as a strategic ally to the US in the Indo-Pacific region. She also highlighted the strong personal relationship between Trump and PM Narendra Modi. Leavitt said, as reported by ANI, "India remains a very strategic ally in the Asia Pacific and the President has a very good relationship with Prime Minister Modi, and he will continue to have that." The comments come as External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is currently in the United States to attend the QUAD Foreign Ministers' Meeting. On Monday, he inaugurated an exhibition at the United Nations titled "The Human Cost of Terrorism," which aims to draw global attention to state-sponsored terrorism. The QUAD is a diplomatic partnership between Australia, India, Japan, and the United States. It is committed to supporting an open, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific that is inclusive and resilient. (With inputs from ANI)
Time of India
42 minutes ago
- Time of India
Gen on 4-day visit to Bhutan to boost def ties
New Delhi: General Upendra Dwivedi is now on a four-day trip to Bhutan to further enhance already close bilateral military ties - which comes at a time that China continues to strengthen its military infrastructure in the Doklam plateau that saw a 73-day face-off between the Indian and Chinese armies in 2017. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Army chief will call on Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and hold wide-ranging talks with Lt General Batoo Tshering, the chief operations officer of the Royal Bhutan Army. "The visit reflects the deep-rooted and time-tested ties between India and Bhutan and reaffirms India's commitment to a close and trusted partner," Army spokesperson Colonel Nishant Arvind said. India has been keeping a close watch on the series of border talks between Bhutan and an expansionist China in a bid to resolve their territorial disputes, which include Doklam plateau in the west and Jakarlung and Pasamlung valleys in the north.
