Shashi Tharoor Challenges Trump's Ceasefire Claims Amid Rising Tensions

Tharoor's Response to Trump's Claims

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who is currently leading a multi-party delegation in Brazil, dismissed the assertions made by US President Donald Trump regarding his role in mediating peace between India and Pakistan. This statement comes in the wake of increased tensions following the Pahalgam terror incident and Operation Sindoor.

Tharoor emphasized, "We hold the American presidency in high regard and will communicate with that respect. However, our perspective differs significantly. No one needed to convince us to halt; we had already made that decision. If there was any persuasion from the American side, it was directed towards Pakistan, not us. We are not seeking conflict; our focus is on development."

India's Stance on Conflict

He further clarified that India would not have engaged if Pakistan had not escalated the situation, reiterating that India is not interested in extending the conflict. Tharoor stated, "From the outset on May 7th, we have maintained that we do not wish to prolong hostilities. Our actions are merely retribution against terrorism. Had Pakistan not reacted, we would have remained passive."

Tharoor's Remarks on Pakistani Delegation

Tharoor also made a pointed remark regarding the Pakistani delegation, led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, which is set to visit the US concurrently with the Indian delegation. He noted that Pakistan's delegation was formed shortly after India's announcement to send multi-party groups to engage with global leaders about 'Operation Sindoor.'

He remarked, "It is no coincidence that Pakistan has also dispatched a delegation abroad, but they are not visiting as many countries as we are. Their focus seems to be on a few key capitals like Washington, Brussels, and London, while we are reaching out to a broader audience."

Dueling Delegations in Washington

Tharoor described the situation as an intriguing occurrence, stating, "Tomorrow, the Pakistani delegation will be in Washington at the same time as us. This overlap may generate heightened interest due to the presence of two competing delegations in the same city."