While India rejects, Pak FM Ishaq Dar credits Trump, Rubio for 'pivotal role' in Operation Sindoor de-escalation

Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday and "appreciated the pivotal role" the latter and US President Donald Trump played in de-escalating the India-Pakistan conflict. Dar's approval of the US role in the ceasefire talks aftermath of Operation Sindoor comes amidst India's strong denial of Trump's claims. 

 

 

In a statement released by Pakistan's foreign office, Dar met with Rubio in Washington on Friday and held wide-ranging talks about furthering US-Pakistan ties. "The DPM/FM appreciated the pivotal role played by President Trump and Secretary Rubio in de-escalating tensions between Pakistan and India by facilitating a ceasefire and averting a broader conflict between the two nuclear-armed states," it said.

 

During talks with Rubio, Dar has raised Jammu and Kashmir dispute and has said it was the core issue between the neighbouring nations. "The DPM/FM stressed the need to resolve this issue in accordance with the UN resolutions and aspirations of the Kashmiri people," it said.

 

India-Pakistan relations worsened in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22. Terrorists with alleged Pakistani links killed 26 people in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, a tourist site. The deceased include 24 tourists, a Nepali citizen, and a local horse owner.

 

India announced a series of diplomatic actions against Pakistan and suspended the Indus Water Treaty. India, on May 7, launched Operation Sindoor and struck terror bases at nine locations along the Line of Control. India thwarted retaliatory strikes launched by Pakistan. After days of heightened military action, India and Pakistan agreed to stop firing on May 10. 

 

While US President Trump has been claiming credit for "stopping the war" which would have turned nuclear, India has denied his claims. India has maintained that the ceasefire talks were bilateral, and it was achieved through DGMO-level talks. India has also maintained that it would indulge in talks with the neighbouring country only over the issue of return of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

India