New Delhi:
As the dust settles after a series of Pakistani escalations and Indian military responses during Operation Sindoor – the mission aimed at targeting terrorists and their backers in the wake of the Pakistan-linked Pahalgam terror attack, the focus now shifts to what really went down on the day the dramatic ceasefire was announced.
Four nations released statements that day – United States, Pakistan, India, and a late entry by China. What has raised eyebrows however, is that each has their own version. While the undeniable fact lies in India’s statement that a phone call was indeed made by the Pakistani Director General of Military Operations or DGMO to his Indian counterpart requesting an immediate ceasefire, the US and China have their own motives – with Pakistan ever-ready to project a narrative that comes as a face-saver for Islamabad (government) and Rawalpindi (Army).
‘TRUMP JUMPS THE GUN’
Donald Trump, who has been projecting himself as a global peace messiah, by getting involved in the Russia-Ukraine conflict as well as the Israel-Iran war over Hamas in Gaza, was the first to jump at making the dramatic announcement that it was his administration that “brokered” the ceasefire – a claim that New Delhi has distanced itself from. President Trump’s eagerness to make the announcement came as a bolt from the blue.
Rushing to his social media platform Truth Social, President Trump wrote, “After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE. Congratulations to both countries.” He added that by doing so, both countries have shown “common sense and great intelligence”.
‘BEIJING DISPLEASED WITH ISLAMABAD?’
As the hotlines in Washington, Islamabad, and New Delhi were busy on May 9, the one in Beijing remained on the hook – and this allegedly did not go down well with China, which Pakistan calls its “all-weather ally”. Donald Trump’s announcement and Washington’s credit-taking allegedly left Beijing, which also desires to be seen as a global peace broker, furious.
According to claims made in defence circles, China was allegedly upset with Islamabad for reaching out to Washington at a time of crisis and distress, instead of calling Beijing, which likes to consider south Asia as being in its sphere of influence. NDTV cannot verify the authenticity of this claim, however, a timeline of factual events are presented below.
Beijing then called Islamabad, following which, as per the chronology of events, Pakistan disregarded the Trump announced-ceasefire hours after agreeing to it, though only briefly. While Pakistani drones violated Indian airspace over Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, and Gujarat, a statement about Islamabad’s talks with China was released by Pakistan’s foreign office. The timing of the statement, in which Beijing’s overt support to Islamabad was underscored, raised eyebrows in diplomatic circles.
‘CHINA FINDS RELEVANCE’
Just a short while later, while the drones from Pakistan and PoK continued to pour in, China’s foreign ministry released another statement saying its foreign minister Wang Yi spoke with India’s national security adviser Ajit Doval. The statement focused more of what the Chinese foreign minister said, with a fleeting mention of what Mr Doval reportedly said. New Delhi has not responded to this statement released by Beijing.
It was only after the release of these statements, showcasing China’s involvement, did the drones from Pakistan stop incursions over the Line of Control and the International Border. This was seen by some defence analysts as a symbolic gesture to satisfy Beijing.
China’s foreign ministry released another statement two days later, in which it said, “We hope India and Pakistan will cement and continue the ceasefire momentum, avoid further conflict, properly handle differences through dialogue and negotiation, and return to the track of political settlement.” It added that China will remain in contact with both Islamabad and New Delhi, and continue efforts to “keep the region peaceful and stable.”
Beijing credited itself for the ceasefire, claiming that it was Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi’s talks with Ishaq Dar and Ajit Doval that ultimately helped “bring about deescalation and a full, lasting ceasefire.”