Were very far from nuclear conflict: Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has refuted claims that India and Pakistan were on the brink of a nuclear conflict during their recent skirmish (May 7–10), stating that the situation was “very, very far away” from escalating to that level.

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In an interview with Germany’s “Faz” newspaper, Jaishankar rejected the narrative that tensions between the two neighbours inevitably lead to nuclear threats. “At no point was a nuclear threshold reached. This kind of thinking disturbs me because it encourages activities like terrorism,” he said. His remarks counter US President Donald Trump’s claim that he had “averted” a nuclear clash.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) shared the English transcript of Jaishankar’s interview on Monday.

He said India’s actions were precise and de-escalatory, targeting only terrorist camps. After India’s strike on May 7, the Pakistani forces retaliated, but India demonstrated its ability to neutralise their air defences. “The firing stopped at their request,” the minister said.

Jaishankar accused Pakistan of abetting terrorism. “In Pakistan, terrorism is an open business. It is supported, financed and orchestrated by the state and its military.”

Asked if China played a role in the conflict, Jaishankar said, “Many weapon systems that Pakistan has are of Chinese origin and the two countries are very close. You can draw your own conclusions from that”.

The ceasefire was negotiated between the military commanders of India and Pakistan through direct contact, Jaishankar said, while answering a question if the US brokered the truce.

On India’s ties with Russia amid Western sanctions, the minister said partnerships were based on shared interests. “When Europe thinks of a conflict, it thinks of Ukraine. When I think of a conflict, I think of Pakistan, terrorism, China and our borders. Our perspective cannot be the same.”

On Russia’s military activities, Jaishankar said, “You talk about rules and think of Ukraine. I talk about rules and I think of my own borders, of Pakistan, which has violated my borders, and China, which has done the same. So when you talk about borders and territorial integrity, I ask you: What about my borders?”

Pressed further on India’s alignment with an “authoritarian Russia,” Jaishankar retorted, “Germany trades with China despite its different political system.”