Trade or tariff didn’t come up: MEA clears stance on India-Pakistan ceasefire ‘understanding’

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday, May 29, stated that there was no discussion about trade or tariffs between India and United States during Operation Sindoor.MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the issue of trade or tariff did not arise between the Indian and American officials.
“I refer to you the position made clear on May 13. From the time Operation Sindoor commenced on May 7, till the understanding on cessation of firing and military action on May 10, there were conversations between Indian and US leaders on the evolving military situation. The issue of trade or tariff did not come up in any of those discussions,” Jaiswal told reporters at a press briefing on May 29.
He reiterated the stance of EAM S Jaishankar that the talks of the ceasefire ‘understanding’ was “direct” and was initiated by the Director General of Military Operation (DGMO) of Pakistan with his Indian counterpart.Read more: Terrorism is Pakistan’s deliberate ‘war strategy’, India to respond accordingly: PM Modi

“The External Affairs Minister has also made clear that the cessation of firing was decided upon through direct contacts between the DGMOs of India and Pakistan,” he added.The official also made clear that the engagement with Pakistan will also be bilateral, also reiterating that talks and terrorism cannot go hand in hand.

“Our position in regard to engagement with Pakistan has been clear and consistent. Any India Pakistan engagement has to be bilateral. At the same time, we are clear that talks and terror don’t go together,” Jaiswal said.

“On terrorism itself, we are open to discussing the handing over to India of noted terrorists, whose list was given to Pakistan some years ago. Any bilateral discussion on Jammu and Kashmir will only be on the vacation of the illegally occupied Indian territory by Pakistan,” he added.

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He also stated that the Indus Waters Treaty will remain in abeyance till the time Pakistan stops supporting the cross-border terrorism activities.

“Indus Water Treaty will remain in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures it support from cross-border terrorism as terror and talks, terror and trade cannot go together, as well as blood and water cannot flow together,” Jaiswal said.