Ceasefire intact but India struggling to accept defeat: Dar

ISLAMABAD:

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Friday that the ceasefire between Pakistan and India remains intact but claimed India’s political leadership is struggling to accept the outcome of the recent conflict.

“Pakistan-India military-to-military ceasefire is working fine, but India’s political leadership is unable to digest it,” Dar said while speaking at an event hosted by the Pakistan High Commission in Kuala Lumpur on sidelines of ASEAN forum.

“India started the war and ended it by asking for a ceasefire,” Dar said. “At 8:15 in the morning, US secretary of state called and said India wants a ceasefire.”

Tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors escalated into a four-day conflict in April this year, involving missiles, drones, and artillery — the most intense fighting between the rivals in decades. A ceasefire was later agreed, following diplomatic efforts by the United States. However, India has disputed Washington’s claims that the truce came as a result of US mediation or threats to suspend trade talks.

Dar said Pakistan responded to Indian aggression with a large-scale military operation, dubbed Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos, targeting multiple Indian military positions.

Recalling the conflict, Dar claimed the Pakistan Air Force had downed six Indian warplanes, including four Rafale jets.

Dar, currently attending the 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum Ministerial Meeting, also criticised India’s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it a provocative move.

“India cannot stop or divert Pakistan’s water… New Delhi is facing growing isolation globally,” he said. “India is becoming isolated on the international stage due to its aggressive policies.”

Turning to economic matters, Dar said Pakistan had made progress despite harsh conditions.

“Pakistan has made an economic take-off and now our goal is to get the country included in the G20,” he told the audience.

Earlier in the day Ishaq Dar met Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Friday on the sidelines of the 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum Ministerial Meeting.

Dar conveyed warm wishes from Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and reiterated Islamabad’s commitment to deepening bilateral relations with Malaysia.

Photo: APP

He also praised Malaysia’s leadership as Chair of ASEAN for 2025.

Ibrahim reciprocated the warm sentiments and said he looked forward to welcoming PM Shehbaz to Malaysia in October.

Read: Pakistan to participate in ASEAN forum

Dar thanked the Malaysian leader for the hospitality and the successful organisation of the ASEAN forum.

He also welcomed Malaysia’s practical steps to boost trade and investment between the two countries, following PM Ibrahim’s visit to Pakistan in October last year.

Photo: APP

Dar is representing Pakistan at the ASEAN Regional Forum.

The high-level meeting brings together foreign ministers and senior representatives from 27 ARF member countries, as well as the secretary-general of ASEAN, to deliberate on key political and security challenges facing the Asia-Pacific region.

On the agenda is strengthening peace, stability and multilateral cooperation through constructive dialogue.

During his stay in Kuala Lumpur, the DPM is also expected to interact with members of the Pakistani diaspora in Malaysia.

Established in 1994, the ARF is a premier multilateral platform for political and security consultations in the Asia-Pacific.