Pune (Maharashtra) [India], June 18 : Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said that India has always made it clear it does not need any third-party mediation.
He said that after the Indian Army destroyed Pakistan's military airports, Pakistan asked other countries to request a ceasefire, but India told them to speak directly if they wanted peace.
Speaking to the reporters, Devendra Fadnavis said, "India's stand from day one has been that we do not need any mediation. After the Indian Army destroyed Pakistan's military airports, Pakistan came asking for ceasefire. It requested many countries to ask India to declare a ceasefire, but India took a clear stand that no third country needs to come in between. If Pakistan wants a ceasefire, then it should talk and request us directly, and when Pakistan talked to us directly, then we will accept the ceasefire. We have kept it clear from day one that we do not need any third country."
Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 Summit, which took place in Canada. During the conversation, which lasted over half an hour, PM Modi briefed the US President about India's Operation Sindoor and firmly conveyed the message that India has never accepted and will never accept mediation on the issues with Pakistan, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri informed.
Misri noted, "Prime Minister Modi made it clear to President Trump that during this entire episode, at no time, at any level, were issues such as India-US trade deal or mediation by the US between India and Pakistan discussed. The halt to military action was discussed directly between India and Pakistan, through existing channels of the two armies, and was at the request of Pakistan."
He added, "Prime Minister Modi stressed that India has never accepted mediation, does not accept it, and will never accept it. There is complete political unanimity in India on this issue."
The remarks come after the US President had time and again claimed that he had used trade as a means for the cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan.