India and Pakistan were never on the brink of nuclear conflict during their recent military clash, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar said in an interview with German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, challenging Western assumptions about South Asia and dismissing US claims of brokering the ceasefire.

Asked whether the world had the US to thank for the May 10 ceasefire, Jaishankar credited India’s armed forces instead. “The cessation of firing was agreed between the military commanders of both sides through direct contact,” he said. “The morning before, we effectively hit and incapacitated Pakistan’s main airbases and air defence system. So, who should I thank for the cessation of hostilities? I thank the Indian military because it was the Indian military action that made Pakistan say: We are ready to stop.”