On May 19, 2025, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri presented a detailed briefing before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, addressing the current India-Pakistan conflict in the aftermath of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack. The session, chaired by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, included members from a broad political spectrum, representing parties such as the BJP, Congress, TMC, and AIMIM.

In a decisive stance, Misri categorically rejected former US President Donald Trump's repeated claims that his administration had played a crucial role in defusing tensions between India and Pakistan. Misri clarified that the decision to de-escalate military action was strictly bilateral, and no external influence dictated the course of India’s strategic responses. According to sources present at the meeting, India’s leadership remained fully autonomous in its approach to the military operations and subsequent ceasefire.

India’s Response Post-Pahalgam Attack

Misri’s briefing came amid Operation Sindoor, the ongoing Indian military campaign launched in retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed numerous Indian lives. He informed the panel that preliminary investigations had revealed direct links between the attackers and handlers in Pakistan, including real-time communication during the attack. This information points toward an orchestrated cross-border operation and has reinforced India’s demand for global action against Pakistan-based terror outfits.

The attack in Pahalgam triggered a rapid military response from India. Between May 4 and May 10, intense cross-border exchanges occurred, with the Indian Armed Forces targeting critical Pakistani air bases. Misri emphasized that the conflict remained within the conventional military domain, with no nuclear posturing or signalling observed from Pakistan’s end — a key concern that had raised international alarm.

Trump’s Disputed Claims

Former US President Donald Trump, during a recent interview, reiterated that he and his administration had intervened behind the scenes to avert a potential war between India and Pakistan. However, Misri, without naming Trump directly during the meeting, refuted any such external mediation, reaffirming that India acted based on national interests and strategic autonomy.

This is not the first time Trump has made such claims. Even during his presidency, he often cited his supposed role as a peacemaker in South Asia — claims that have previously been dismissed diplomatically by India. Misri’s statement reinforces the consistent position of the Indian government that bilateral disputes do not require third-party mediation.

Terror Infrastructure in Pakistan and China Link Speculation

Another critical point discussed during the meeting was the ongoing threat posed by UN-designated terrorists operating from Pakistani soil. Misri said these individuals move freely, deliver public speeches, and incite anti-India violence without fear of legal consequences. This, he stated, reflects Pakistan’s lack of seriousness in addressing international counterterrorism commitments.

Certain members of the parliamentary panel raised concerns regarding Pakistan's alleged use of Chinese-origin platforms and systems during the cross-border exchanges. Misri, however, dismissed these claims as irrelevant, stating that India’s strikes effectively neutralized key Pakistani air installations, rendering any such support inconsequential.

This point is significant amid the rising global discourse around the China-Pakistan strategic nexus. However, Misri’s measured response indicates India’s focus remains on decisive military outcomes and intelligence-led operations, rather than speculating on unverified strategic alignments during active operations.

All-Party Diplomacy and Global Outreach

The Indian government has concurrently launched a global diplomatic campaign to counter Pakistan’s narrative and highlight India’s position in the war against terror. A plan has been initiated to send all-party delegations to 33 key global capitals, engaging with foreign policymakers and think tanks to present India’s case with clarity and bipartisan consensus.

This unprecedented outreach reflects New Delhi’s intention to demonstrate political unity and institutional transparency, especially at a time when South Asian geopolitics is under intense global scrutiny.

The Parliamentary briefing marks a crucial step in ensuring accountability and democratic oversight during times of international conflict. It also showcases the Indian government’s strategy of combining military precision with diplomatic assertiveness, ensuring that any misrepresentation — whether from international leaders or adversarial states — is promptly and firmly rebutted.

Broader Implications

Foreign Secretary Misri’s clear refutation of Trump’s claim of involvement in halting hostilities between India and Pakistan is not just a rebuttal of one statement but also a reassertion of India's diplomatic sovereignty. It sends a strong message globally that India will not accept speculative or inflated assertions that diminish its strategic decisions.

His emphasis on bilateralism, operational independence, and adherence to democratic norms also underlines the broader Indian diplomatic approach in a multipolar world. The decision to involve all parties in diplomatic outreach is both a tactical and symbolic move, ensuring that India’s internal political unity is visible externally during turbulent times.

As India continues Operation Sindoor, and while terror threats emanating from across the border persist, Misri’s briefing serves as a blueprint for India’s diplomatic and security stance — rooted in strategic clarity, institutional consensus, and refusal to be drawn into externally constructed narratives.

Further developments and the full transcript of the Foreign Secretary’s presentation to the committee are awaited, but the key takeaways already signal a strong, self-assured diplomatic posture from New Delhi.

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