Trump Claims Role in India-Pakistan Ceasefire Negotiations

In a recent statement, President Trump claimed credit for the ceasefire between India and Pakistan, suggesting trade negotiations played a role. However, India has clarified that the cessation of hostilities was established through direct military communications, with no trade discussions involved. This article explores the context of Trump's remarks and India's response, shedding light on the complexities of international diplomacy in South Asia.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 31, 2025, 07:03 IST

Trump's Assertion on Ceasefire

In Washington, President Donald Trump reiterated his belief that he played a significant role in facilitating the end of hostilities between India and Pakistan, suggesting that he leveraged trade discussions as a negotiation strategy. During an event at the Oval Office celebrating Elon Musk's exit from his advisory position at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Trump stated, "We prevented a potential nuclear disaster by stopping India and Pakistan from engaging in conflict. I extend my gratitude to the leaders of both nations and my team for their efforts."

Clarification from India

In response to Trump's comments, India clarified that the cessation of military actions occurred on May 10, following discussions between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both countries. While there were dialogues between Indian and U.S. officials regarding the situation since the initiation of Operation Sindoor, trade or tariff issues were not part of those conversations. Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, emphasized that India's stance on the military action's halt has been clearly communicated.

Operation Sindoor Context

Operation Sindoor was launched by India in response to a terror attack in Pahalgam, targeting terrorist infrastructure across the border in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). Following this, India successfully countered Pakistani aggression and targeted its airbases. The agreement to cease military operations was reached after the Pakistan DGMO reached out to his Indian counterpart.