Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, alongside Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, echoed former US President Donald Trump’s claims that Washington helped broker a ceasefire with India during Operation Sindoor. India has consistently denied these assertions, maintaining that the ceasefire followed direct military-to-military communication after India’s extensive strikes on terror and military targets in Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Statement at the White House
A Pakistani government readout from Sharif’s Oval Office meeting with Trump praised his “bold, courageous and decisive leadership” in facilitating the ceasefire. The statement also highlighted discussions on enhancing bilateral ties, US investment in Pakistan’s key sectors, and boosting security and intelligence cooperation. Sharif extended an invitation to Trump for an official visit to Pakistan, while also lauding Trump’s outreach to Muslim world leaders on Gaza.
India’s Consistent Denial
India has repeatedly stated that Trump had no role in the ceasefire decision. According to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, the turning point came when Pakistan’s Director-General of Military Operations directly contacted India after the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed Delhi that Islamabad was “ready to talk.” Jaishankar confirmed there was no communication between Prime Minister Modi and Trump during the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam and the June 17 ceasefire announcement.
Operation Sindoor: India’s Largest Cross-Border Strike
Operation Sindoor marked a sharp shift in India’s military strategy. In response to the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 tourists, India carried out 24 precision missile strikes across nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, including Muzaffarabad, Bahawalpur, and Neelum Valley. Unlike the Balakot airstrikes of 2019 or the 2016 Uri surgical strikes, Operation Sindoor was technologically advanced, wide in scope, and revealed India’s willingness to strike deep into hostile territory.
Strategic Implications
India destroyed multiple terror hubs and key military assets in Pakistan, including radar systems, hangars, anti-aircraft platforms, and even an AWACS aircraft on the ground. Officials have emphasized that Operation Sindoor remains ongoing, with Indian forces ready to target any source of terror. The scale and precision of the strikes underline a major evolution in India’s strategic doctrine.
