Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri informed a parliamentary panel on Monday that the United States did not mediate a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Instead, the request for a ceasefire originated from Pakistan’s Director-General of Military Operations to his Indian counterpart. Misri provided a detailed briefing to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, chaired by Congress Lok Sabha member Shashi Tharoor, regarding Operation Sindoor and the escalating tensions between the two nations.

Misri clarified that Pakistan sought a ceasefire following precision strikes by the Indian armed forces, which targeted significant military facilities, including a China-made missile defense system in Lahore and the strategically vital Nur Khan air base.

This statement is particularly significant in light of ongoing demands from opposition parties for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to clarify President Donald Trump’s assertions that the US played a role in negotiating the ceasefire. Speaking at the US-Saudi Arabia Investment Forum, Trump claimed he encouraged both nations to “trade goods, not nuclear missiles,” attributing the easing of tensions to trade diplomacy and commending the leadership of both India and Pakistan.

The Congress party subsequently called for clarification from the government, questioning the Prime Minister and External Affairs Minister on Trump’s claims and whether India compromised its security interests under US pressure. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh queried on social media: “Did the American Dad get the war stopped?”

In response, the Ministry of External Affairs has denied any connection between trade and the ceasefire discussions, emphasizing that their focus remained on military matters. The Congress party also accused Prime Minister Modi of disappointing the nation by not addressing Trump’s claims during his recent address. Senior party leader Ashok Gehlot expressed that the government appears to have lost both moral courage and authority, given the unexpected announcement of the ceasefire by the US President.

Misri also addressed allegations regarding External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar supposedly informing Pakistan prior to the airstrikes, calling these claims misrepresentations and clarifying that he had been misquoted.

In light of escalating diplomatic tensions following Türkiye and Azerbaijan’s support for Pakistan during the recent India-Pakistan conflict, the tourism and aviation sub-committees of the Federation of Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FJCCI) have jointly called for a comprehensive boycott of travel and trade with these two nations.

A resolution passed at a meeting at Chamber Bhavan on Monday announced that travel agents and tour operators associated with the FJCCI will cease marketing, packaging, and ticketing of tours to Türkiye and Azerbaijan. The members also discouraged Indian travelers from visiting either country.

“Trade and terrorism cannot coexist,” asserted Shailesh Agrawal, Chairman of the Chamber’s Tourism Sub-Committee. “Any nation that undermines India’s interests should not be engaged commercially.”

Shravan Rajgadia, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Sub-Committee, emphasized the wealth of domestic tourist destinations in India that deserve more attention. “Let’s focus on promoting internal tourism and investing in our own economy,” he urged.

FJCCI President Paresh Gattani took a stronger stance, urging entrepreneurs and business leaders to halt all import and export dealings with Türkiye and Azerbaijan. He contrasted India’s prompt humanitarian response to Türkiye’s earthquake relief efforts with the political disregard shown by these nations. “India was among the first to send aid and medical teams. This goodwill has been overlooked for geopolitical gain.”

“This goes beyond foreign policy; it’s about our national integrity. As responsible citizens and entrepreneurs, we must respond economically,” Gattani declared.

FJCCI Secretary General Aditya Malhotra encouraged traders to avoid stocking or promoting products from the two countries, suggesting that ongoing economic disengagement could apply tangible pressure on their tourism and hospitality industries. He also called on the Indian government to consider formal trade restrictions.

Local travel agents from Lohardaga, such as Kaushal Mittal, reported that they have already initiated the boycott at the district level.

The meeting saw attendance from senior FJCCI officials, including Vice-President Rahul Sabu, Treasurer Rohit Agrawal, Executive Members Mukesh Agrawal, Sanjeev Poddar, Poonam Anand, Ramesh Sahu, and Manoj Mishra, among others. Notable travel agencies represented included Paul Travels, Eastern Travels, Fun & Flying, Sai Tours & Travels, Drishti Travels, Golden Peacock Travels, Mittal Travels, and Surya Travels (Jamshedpur).

The Chamber plans to launch a comprehensive awareness campaign across its networks to effectively implement the boycott.