If Pak attacks, we will retaliate stronger: PM Modi to Vance on ceasefire
NEW DELHI, MAY 11 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the discussion about a de-escalation agreement with Pakistan, told US Vice President JD Vance that if Pakistan attacks India, the country will retaliate strongly, government sources said on Sunday.
“Vance called and spoke to Modi off-ramp. The PM told him if they attack, we will attack stronger,” sources told India Today TV.
Following Vance’s meeting with Prime Minister Modi, discussions were held with Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir, and subsequently with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. However, US Secretary of State Marci Rubio told Jaishankar that the call was not intended to discuss an off-ramp.
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New Delhi conveyed during the discussions that if Pakistan does not open fire, India will also exercise restraint, sources said.
“India’s message was that if we are to engage with Pakistan, it will only be to discuss the return of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), illegal territories, and the handing over of terrorists,” the sources added.
A CNN report earlier said that Vance directly reached out to PM Modi to encourage dialogue toward a ceasefire, following the receipt of “alarming intelligence” by Washington. While the nature of the intelligence was not disclosed due to its sensitivity, the report noted that it played a key role in triggering urgent action from the highest levels of US leadership. Vance reportedly told the Prime Minister about a “high probability of dramatic escalation” over the weekend.
The sources added that while Pakistan proposed holding talks at the level of National Security Advisors, no such discussions took place either at the NSA or Foreign Minister level; the conversations were limited to the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO).
Alongside JD Vance’s discussion with the Prime Minister, sources from the Ministry of External Affairs addressed several unanswered questions that arose following the surprise ceasefire announcement between the two nations.
-PTI
