Washington, D.C. [US], May 22 (ANI): U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday claimed he was instrumental in brokering the recent cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan, attributing the de-escalation to trade diplomacy and personal rapport with the leadership of both nations. However, the Indian government swiftly rebutted these assertions, affirming that the ceasefire followed India’s independent military and diplomatic actions and was not mediated through trade discussions with the United States.
Speaking during a joint press briefing with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the White House, Trump said, “If you take a look at what we just did with Pakistan and India, we settled that whole thing, and I think I settled it through trade. We’re doing a big deal with India. We’re doing a big deal with Pakistan. The shooting was getting worse… We spoke to them and got it settled.”
Referring to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “a great guy,” Trump emphasized his strong ties with India and claimed that the United States played a decisive role in calming tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. He had earlier posted on Truth Social:
“After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE. Congratulations to both countries on using Common Sense and Great Intelligence.”
The ceasefire, according to Indian sources, came in the wake of Operation Sindoor, a major counterterrorism operation launched by India on May 7 following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians. The operation targeted nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), triggering a brief but intense military escalation, including Pakistani drone intrusions and shelling along the Line of Control (LoC).
Despite Trump’s public claims, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) rejected suggestions of U.S. mediation or the involvement of trade negotiations in reaching the ceasefire. In a formal statement, the MEA reiterated India’s long-standing position that matters related to Jammu and Kashmir are to be addressed bilaterally between India and Pakistan, without third-party intervention.
“As you are aware, we have a long-standing national position that any issues pertaining to the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir have to be addressed by India and Pakistan bilaterally. That stated policy has not changed,” the MEA said.
The ministry further clarified that trade was not a topic of conversation between Indian and U.S. officials during the critical period of escalation and de-escalation.
“From the time Operation Sindoor commenced on 7th May till the understanding on cessation of firing and military action on 10th May, there were conversations between Indian and U.S. leaders on the evolving military situation. The issue of trade did not come up in any of these discussions.”
India’s response underscores a clear divergence from Trump’s narrative, reasserting New Delhi’s stance on autonomy in handling regional security and cross-border terrorism.
While Trump’s claims were seen by some as an attempt to portray himself as a global peacemaker, critics and analysts have pointed out that the public statements contradict both diplomatic records and the facts on the ground. (ANI)
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