No possibility of any talks with Pakistan at any neutral site: India

The USA claimed that it was a long night of negotiations and it brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan Saudi Arabia, an ally of USA and close partner of India too hinted that it played a role in defusing tensions.

The USA claimed that it was a long night of diplomacy involving Vice President and Secretary of State to help India and Pakistan arrive at a ceasefire.

India contradicted this claim and affirmed that the decision was reached bilaterally. Sources told ET that India had stated that it will not react unless attacked.

US President Donald Trump was the first to announce what he called US mediated ceasefire.

“Over the past 48 hours, Vice President Vance and I have engaged with senior Indian and Pakistani officials, including Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Shehbaz Sharif, External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir, and National Security Advisors Ajit Doval and Asim Malik. I am pleased to announce the Governments of India and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire and to start talks on a broad set of issues at a neutral site. We commend Prime Ministers Modi and Sharif on their wisdom, prudence, and statesmanship in choosing the path of peace,” US State Department noted.

Sources said that there is no possibility of any talks with Pakistan at any neutral site as claimed by State Department.

EU HR VP who earlier was criticised for treating India at par with India wrote on X “Just spoke again with @DrSJaishankar and @MIshaqDar50. The announced ceasefire between India and Pakistan is a vital step toward de-escalation. All efforts must be made to ensure it is respected. The EU remains committed to peace, stability, and counter-terrorism in the region.”

Saudi and Iranian MFA also welcomed the move.

As Pakistan ratcheted up tensions buoyed by a fresh IMF loan resulting in swift and precise Indian reaction on Pakistan Air Force bases, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah dialed Foreign Minister S Jaishankar and Pakistani leadership to de escalate tensions.

Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held separate telephonic calls with Jaishankar and Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar.

A Saudi Foreign Ministry statement noted that the Saudi Foreign Minister held discussions focused on de-escalating the rising tensions between India and Pakistan, along with a focus on efforts to end the ongoing military confrontations between the two countries. He highlighted Saudi Arabia's commitment towards the security and stability of the region.

Earlier this week Saudi Minister of State for External Affairs visited both India and Pakistan with a message of de-escalation.

The US is also intensifying its efforts to descalate the tensions between India and Pakistan.

Rubio held conversations with Jaishankar, Dar, and Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir (man behind Pakistan’s escalation).

Rubio told Dar on Saturday and reiterated the call to "re-establish direct communication" between India and Pakistan, as noted by the press statement from the US Department of State.

"Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. Secretary Rubio reiterated that both parties must find ways to de-escalate the current situation and re-establish direct communication to avoid miscalculation," the state department said.

Rubio repeated his call of offering American assistance for starting "constructive talks" between the two countries in order to "avoid future conflicts".

Rubio had shared the same sentiment with his Indian counterpart, Jaishankar on Saturday and Gen Munir on Friday. Jaishankar wrote on X, "Had a conversation with US Secretary of state Marco Rubio this morning. India's approach has always been measured and responsible and remains so."

India has maintained that all its actions are measured and non-escalatory in nature.