Misri briefs parliamentary panel: India-Pakistan conflict stayed conventional, no nuclear signalling

New Delhi: Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Monday told the parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs that the recent conflict between India and Pakistan remained confined to the conventional military domain, with no nuclear signalling from Pakistan, sources said.

Misri reiterated the government’s position that the decision to cease military actions was reached bilaterally, responding to opposition members’ queries regarding former US President Donald Trump’s repeated claims of his administration’s role in halting hostilities.

When questioned about whether Pakistan employed Chinese platforms during the conflict, Misri said it was immaterial, emphasising India’s success in striking Pakistani air bases.

Addressing comments on Trump’s social media posts seeking “centre-stage” after India and Pakistan agreed to halt hostilities, Misri remarked that the US president did not seek his permission before making such statements.

The committee, chaired by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, also unanimously condemned the online trolling of Foreign Secretary Misri following the ceasefire announcement, praising his professional conduct throughout.

In response to questions about Turkey’s adversarial stance against India, Misri noted that Turkey has traditionally not been supportive of India.

The committee included members from various parties such as TMC’s Abhishek Banerjee, Congress’s Rajeev Shukla and Deepender Hooda, AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi, and BJP’s Aparajita Sarangi and Arun Govil.

The briefing comes in the aftermath of the Indian Armed Forces’ Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, and subsequent military exchanges between the two countries.

India and Pakistan agreed on May 10 to halt all military actions along the border.

Parliament’s Standing Committee on External Affairs on Monday unanimously condemned the online trolling of Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and commended his professional conduct amid heightened tensions following the India-Pakistan ceasefire agreement.

Misri, who was briefing the committee on the military conflict following the Pahalgam terror attack, faced widespread criticism on social media after the announcement on May 10 to halt military actions. Despite the trolling, Misri received support from political leaders, former bureaucrats, and defence veterans.

The committee, chaired by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, comprised members across party lines, reflecting broad bipartisan support for the foreign secretary.

The meeting was held against the backdrop of ongoing diplomatic and security discussions between India and Pakistan following Operation Sindoor and the recent military developments.