Mon May 12 21:13:05 UTC 2025: ## Pawar Criticizes US Intervention in India-Pakistan Ceasefire
**Mumbai, May 13, 2025** – Sharad Pawar, leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-SP) and former Indian Defence Minister, has strongly criticized the Indian government for allowing US President Donald Trump to mediate in the recent India-Pakistan ceasefire. Pawar argued that the US intervention violated the principles of the 1972 Shimla Agreement, which stipulates that neither country should involve third parties in bilateral disputes.
Pawar expressed concern over Trump’s public announcement of the ceasefire via social media, stating that the government should explain why US assistance was sought. He highlighted that this marked the first instance of a third party interfering in Indo-Pakistani issues since the Shimla Agreement.
The ceasefire followed Operation Sindoor, India’s strategic response to a terrorist attack in Pahalgam. While the Maharashtra opposition has called for a special session of the legislature to discuss the operation, Pawar rejected this proposal, citing the sensitivity and confidentiality of the matter. He suggested a closed-door meeting between the government and opposition instead. Pawar emphasized the need for discretion in handling such sensitive national security issues, drawing on his experience as Defence Minister.
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