- By Shivangi Sharma
- Tue, 13 May 2025 06:50 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
India has firmly dismissed US President Donald Trump’s claim that trade discussions were part of its recent diplomatic engagement with the United States during the high-tension days of Operation Sindoor. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) clarified that the dialogues focused solely on military and security developments, while reiterating India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan in response to continued cross-border terrorism.
At a press briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that trade was never a topic of conversation during the recent India-US discussions. “From the time Operation Sindoor commenced on 7th May till the understanding on cessation of firing and military action on 10th May, there were conversations between Indian and US leaders on the evolving military situation. The issue of trade did not come up in any of these discussions,” he clarified.
Indus Waters Treaty Remains Suspended
Jaiswal also reaffirmed India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty following the Cabinet Committee on Security’s (CCS) decision. “The IWT was concluded in the spirit of goodwill and friendship,” he said. “However, Pakistan has held these principles in abeyance by its promotion of cross-border terrorism for several decades now.”
MEA official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "After the CCS (Cabinet Committee on Security) decision, the Indus Water Treaty has been put in abeyance. I would also like to take you back a little. The IWT was concluded in the spirit of goodwill and friendship as specified in… pic.twitter.com/MRDQni9BRP
— ANI (@ANI) May 13, 2025
He added that India would continue to keep the treaty in abeyance “until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism.”
Jaiswal also highlighted that evolving ground realities, climate change, demographic shifts, and technological changes further necessitate a re-evaluation of the treaty’s relevance.
Sharp Rebuttal To Pakistan's Statements
Responding to recent remarks by Pakistan’s Foreign Office, Jaiswal delivered a stern warning: “A nation which has nurtured terrorism on an industrial scale should think that it can escape the consequences is fooling itself.” He stressed that the terrorist infrastructure targeted by India was responsible for global casualties and emphasised that a “new normal” has now been established.
Operation Sindoor
Referring to Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar’s interview, Jaiswal underlined India’s success in Operation Sindoor, noting the destruction of key terrorist hubs in Bahawalpur, Muridke, and Muzaffarabad. “Pakistan saw its military capabilities significantly degraded… If they fired on us, we would respond suitably,” he stated. He concluded by reaffirming India’s consistent policy: Jammu and Kashmir matters are strictly bilateral and the only outstanding issue remains the vacating illegally occupied Indian territory by Pakistan.